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Wetsuit Test Results
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 2005-07-08 9:07 AM |
Expert  743    Minnesota |  Subject: Wetsuit Test ResultsIn order to determine if a wetsuit would help my overall sprint triathlon times, I set up a simple test protocol. The basics are as follows: Swim route: approx. 220 yd (measured with a GPS) open water from a dock to a weed point. Wetsuit: Ironman Triathlon Tri Onyx (sleeveless, full leg) Swim Test: 4 x 200yd x 1min rest. One rest day was between wetsuit swim and no wetsuit. Water conditions were nearly identical. Results: Trial No wetsuit (min) Wetsuit (min) 1 3:21 2:52 2 3:33 3:06 3 (see note) 3:02 4 3:32 3:12 Tot. 10:26 12:12 Avg. 3:29 3:03 Note: Trial 3 without wetsuit (3:10) was eliminated because I cut the swim short. If I can get the suit off in a bit less than a minute in a race with a quarter mile swim, and a bit less than a minute and a half in a third of a mile swim, I break even. If I do better at getting the suit off, the suit will help my time. I was surprised that the suit helped me this much in such a short distance. I am guessing that I spend less than 30 seconds while I am not making forward progress to take off the suit, but I will have to test that later. Your results may vary and I suggest you give the test a try. It would be interesting to see your results here for all to compare. |
| 2005-07-08 9:49 AM in reply to: #192954 |
Extreme Veteran 456 Western Massachusetts | Subject: RE: Wetsuit Test Results Thanks for posting this. I am doing the Danskin in Webster at the end of July and the water ought not to be horribly cold, but was leaning towards using the wetsuit for the psychological boost of not being able to drown. :-) You've solidified my decision by showing that the damage to my T1 time won't be that horrible compared the gains in my swim time. Gwendal |
| 2005-07-08 10:17 AM in reply to: #192954 |
Expert 743 Minnesota | Subject: RE: Wetsuit Test Results Gwendal and all that read, I would suggest that you try the test. It wouldn't be much of a stretch to assume that you are a much better swimmer than I. If you are a good swimmer, the wetsuit is SAID to make less of a difference. My test isn't all that scientific and all that can really be determined is that the wetsuit will help ME NOW. You may not be helped as much, at all or even be handicapped by the suit. As I get to be a better swimmer, my results may change as well. Right now we have the results of one person at one particular point in time. I would like to see many people post their results here so we can get a better idea across the spectrum what type of swimmers and what percentage are helped by using a wetsuit. Most of the major existing test data is derrived from top athletes; not the rest of us hacks. If there are enough results posted here, I can see an article in the future. Possibly a project for some of my students. |
| 2005-07-08 10:21 AM in reply to: #193021 |
Master 1359 South of SLC | Subject: RE: Wetsuit Test Results You should also take into consideration any energy the wetsuit saves you -- energy you can use during the bike and the run. As long as you have a well fitted wetsuit, I am sure you conserve heart beats over the distance as well. Did you monitor those while on your test swims? Mike |
| 2005-07-08 10:28 AM in reply to: #193025 |
Veteran 191 New Haven, Connecticut | Subject: RE: Wetsuit Test Results Rollin' Thunder - 2005-07-08 10:21 AM You should also take into consideration any energy the wetsuit saves you -- energy you can use during the bike and the run. As long as you have a well fitted wetsuit, I am sure you conserve heart beats over the distance as well. Did you monitor those while on your test swims? Mike Great point. As a corollary to a wetsuit producing a faster swim, your heart rate may remain lower which will benefit both your bike and run legs of the race. |
| 2005-07-08 10:30 AM in reply to: #193025 |
Veteran 191 New Haven, Connecticut | Subject: RE: Wetsuit Test Results Rollin' Thunder - 2005-07-08 10:21 AM You should also take into consideration any energy the wetsuit saves you -- energy you can use during the bike and the run. As long as you have a well fitted wetsuit, I am sure you conserve heart beats over the distance as well. Did you monitor those while on your test swims? Mike To B-One: you should redo your test study and add a heart rate monitor. I've seen similar tests and they invaribly show a lower heart rate in addition to faster swim times when wearing a wetsuit. |
| 2005-07-08 10:49 AM in reply to: #192954 |
Elite Veteran 610 chicago area | Subject: RE: Wetsuit Test Results Funny you posted this. I just swam about 1500 yards this morning with my wetsuit making sure it was still comfy since I hadn't worn it since pre pregnancy (yes, miraculously it still fits). My normal splits per 100 are usually about 2:05-2:10 per 100yds. With my suit this morning my splits were about 1:58 per 100yds. Plus it seemed it took less effort. That saves me about a minute and a half in an 800 yd swim. It only takes me about 15 seconds to get my wetsuit off- it's a sleeveless shorty. |
| 2005-07-08 3:34 PM in reply to: #193040 |
Expert 743 Minnesota | Subject: RE: Wetsuit Test Results olddskool - 2005-07-07 10:30 PM Rollin' Thunder - 2005-07-08 10:21 AM You should also take into consideration any energy the wetsuit saves you -- energy you can use during the bike and the run. As long as you have a well fitted wetsuit, I am sure you conserve heart beats over the distance as well. Did you monitor those while on your test swims? Mike To B-One: you should redo your test study and add a heart rate monitor. I've seen similar tests and they invaribly show a lower heart rate in addition to faster swim times when wearing a wetsuit. Good Idea! This could be a great project for my anatomy and phys class. Edited by B-One 2005-07-08 3:35 PM |
| 2005-07-08 9:05 PM in reply to: #192954 |
Veteran 154 Minneapolis, MN | Subject: RE: Wetsuit Test Results Here's a similar test on a great website. Derek www.bikesportmichigan.com/features/wetsuit.shtml |
| 2005-07-08 9:10 PM in reply to: #192954 |
Expert 1238 Denver, Colorado | Subject: RE: Wetsuit Test Results Did you use the wetsuit on the second day? Maybe you just got 30 seconds fitter, or 30 seconds more comfortable, as a result of the first workout. Did you have a rest day before the first swim workout too? You should randomize the order. A good way to look at the data is in terms of efficiency. It's not enough to swim faster. You have to swim faster with the same effort. So yeah, throw a heart rate monitor into the mix. You could also test different levels of exertion to see if the wetsuit gives the same advantage at different speeds. For example, if the wetsuit doesn't make a big difference when swimming at a slow pace, then my slow ass isn't going to invest $250 into it. I don't doubt the results of the study. I'm just trying to become a skeptical, crotchety old scientist some day. |
| 2005-07-08 9:47 PM in reply to: #192954 |
Extreme Veteran 698 SW part of US | Subject: RE: Wetsuit Test Results It not just about the time saved... Think about the effort used to achieve the faster time... Do the same test using your HRM... Note the change in HR (i.e. effort) for each incremental gain in time. That will reflect the real advantage of the wetsuit. Joe Moya |
| 2005-07-09 6:15 AM in reply to: #193565 |
Expert 743 Minnesota | Subject: RE: Wetsuit Test Results skavoovie - 2005-07-08 9:10 AM Did you use the wetsuit on the second day? Maybe you just got 30 seconds fitter, or 30 seconds more comfortable, as a result of the first workout. Did you have a rest day before the first swim workout too? You should randomize the order. A good way to look at the data is in terms of efficiency. It's not enough to swim faster. You have to swim faster with the same effort. So yeah, throw a heart rate monitor into the mix. You could also test different levels of exertion to see if the wetsuit gives the same advantage at different speeds. For example, if the wetsuit doesn't make a big difference when swimming at a slow pace, then my slow ass isn't going to invest $250 into it. I don't doubt the results of the study. I'm just trying to become a skeptical, crotchety old scientist some day. Skeptics keep everyone honest. All your questions entered my mind, and still bother me. I did only one comparison which enters into any skepticism. I really want to see the results others have had. Thirty seconds per 220 yd is a HUGE difference and can't really be explained by most of these variables. I do want to test with a HRM though. |
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