Investigation of Swimming Economy while Wearing Different Triathlon Wetsuit Styles at Submaximal Front Crawl Swimming

Authors

Boram LIm, University of Nevada, Las VegasFollow
Alejandro Villalobos, California State University, Los AngelesFollow
George Crocker, California State University, Los AngelesFollow
John Mercer Dr., University of Nevada, Las VegasFollow

Abstract

Triathlon wetsuits commonly use for the potential benefits of swimming performance and thermoregulation. Triathletes may select different wetsuit styles depending on many factors (e.g., temperature regulation swimming technique, body type, and training purpose). However, there is a lack of empirical evidence of how different wetsuit styles affect the physiological responses to swimming. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the physiological responses during submaximal intensity front crawl swimming using different wetsuit styles. METHODS: Fourteen participants (n=6 men, n=8 women; all recreational triathletes or swimmers) completed a swimming graded exercise test wearing a swimsuit only to determine maximal oxygen consumption (VO₂max). A test speed was calculated from these data to represent 80% VO₂max. Participants then completed four 4-min submaximal swimming conditions at this speed: regular swimsuit (NWS), buoyancy short (BS), sleeveless (SLW), and full sleeve wetsuit (FSW). The order of the conditions was randomized. All conditions were conducted in a swimming flume and metabolic measurements were made using a metabolic cart with a mixing chamber. The rate of O₂ consumption (VO₂), rate of CO₂ production (VCO₂), ventilation (V_E), heart rate (HR), and respiratory exchange ratio (RER) were determined as the average for the last minute of each condition. Rating of perceived exertion (RPE) was assessed after each condition. RESULTS: VO₂ and HR were statistically different by wetsuit conditions (p < 0.01; NWS: 37.5±5.9 ml·kg^-1min^-1,148±12 bpm, BS: 34.0±6.4 ml·kg^-1min^-1,142±14 bpm, SLW: 31.4±4.9 ml·kg^-1min^-1, 137±12 bpm, and FSW: 32.2±5.3 ml·kg^-1min^-1,139±12 bpm). In addition, VCO₂, V_E, RER, and RPE were significantly influenced by wetsuit conditions (VCO₂ and V_E: p < 0.01, RER and RPE: p < 0.05). Swimming without a wetsuit significantly increased VO₂, HR, VCO₂, and V_E relative to the other conditions (p < 0.05). Furthermore, all dependent variables were not statistically different between SLW and FSW (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Swimming with a regular swimsuit is the least economical at the test speed. Additionally, it seems that either SLW or FSW can be used without significant physiological changes when swimming at the intensity of the triathlon race.

Recommended Citation

LIm, Boram; Villalobos, Alejandro; Crocker, George; and Mercer, John Dr. (2021) "Investigation of Swimming Economy while Wearing Different Triathlon Wetsuit Styles at Submaximal Front Crawl Swimming," International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings: Vol. 14: Iss. 1, Article 37.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijesab/vol14/iss1/37