Energetics and Basic Stroke Kinematics of Swimming With Different Styles of Wetsuits

Lim, B, Villalobos, A, Mercer, JA, and Crocker, GH. Energetics and basic stroke kinematics of swimming with different styles of wetsuits. J Strength Cond Res 38(10): 1793-1799, 2024-This study investigated the physiological responses and basic stroke kinematics while wearing different styles of wetsuits during submaximal intensity front-crawl swimming. Fourteen subjects (6 men and 8 women) completed a swimming-graded exercise test to determine maximal aerobic capacity (V̇O 2 max) and four 4-minute submaximal front-crawl swims at a pace that elicited 80% of V̇O 2 max with different wetsuits: regular swimsuit (no wetsuit [NWS]), buoyancy shorts (BS), sleeveless wetsuit (SLW), and full-sleeve wetsuit (FSW). The rate of oxygen consumption (V̇O 2 ), rate of carbon dioxide production (V̇CO 2 ), minute ventilation (V̇ E ), heart rate (HR), respiratory exchange ratio, and cost of swimming (CS) were determined as the average for the last minute of each trial. The rating of perceived exertion was assessed after each swimming bout. In addition, stroke length and index were determined from swimming pace and stroke rate. V̇O 2 , V̇CO 2 , V̇ E , HR, and CS differed significantly among wetsuit conditions ( p < 0.01). Respiratory exchange ratio and rating of perceived exertion also varied by wetsuit conditions ( p < 0.05). However, stroke rate, length, and index were not significantly different across wetsuit conditions ( p > 0.05). No differences existed between SLW and FSW for any dependent variable ( p > 0.05). Results from this study suggest that swimming at the same pace without a wetsuit is the least economical, and both SLW and FSW are most and equally economical without significant kinematic changes. In addition, BS could be beneficial during training and racing in terms of less physiological demands than a regular swimsuit but not as economical as the SLW or FSW.