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International Journal of Physiology, Nutrition and Physical Education

Impact Factor (RJIF): 5.48

ISSN: 2456-0057

2019, Vol. 4, Special Issue 2
Technological innovations and its application in the field of swimming
Author(s): Regin Tomy, Akhilesh S and Athul G Sivan
Abstract:
The ultimate goal of any world-class swimmer is to break a record, and technology enables that accomplishment. Since the start of the Olympics in 1896, the primary focus of swimsuits was modesty rather than performance. Suits covered the majority of the body and were made of wool, which made swimming difficult as they tended to absorb water and get increasingly heavier as the race went on. While materials like silk were lighter and less absorbent, their exorbitant cost prevented them from being available to most competitors. The development of Fastskin changed all that. Fastskin is a biomimetic material that is based on the design of shark skin; Fastskin mimics the dermal denticles found on shark skin that reduces drag more effectively than the smooth surface of human skin. Olympic swimming in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the LZR had a tremendous impact on the competition results. Nearly 94% of races won and 98% of records broken were done by competitors wearing the suit. There is a lot of science and engineering involved in the development of this super suit, from the choice of fabrics to the positioning of the seams. For three years, Speedo collaborated with scientists from NASA, universities, and sport institutes, and experimented with over 60 materials. In the end, they came up with a design possessing key improvements from their previous swimsuits that: minimizes drag, maximize support to the muscles; and does so without constraining motion.
Pages: 45-47  |  1015 Views  165 Downloads
How to cite this article:
Regin Tomy, Akhilesh S, Athul G Sivan. Technological innovations and its application in the field of swimming. Int J Physiol Nutr Phys Educ 2019;4(2S):45-47.
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