View source for High-technology swimwear

{{short description|Scientifically advanced materials used for swimwear}}
'''High-technology swimwear''', or '''tech suits''', are scientifically advanced materials used for swimwear in competitive [[water sports]] such as [[swimming (sport)|swimming]] and [[triathlon]]. Materials of this type are normally [[spandex]] and [[nylon]] composite fabrics with features to reduce [[Drag (physics)|drag]] against the water.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|url=http://sitn.hms.harvard.edu/flash/2008/issue47-2/|title=The Rocket Swimsuit: Speedo's LZR Racer - Science in the News|date=2008-09-15|work=Science in the News|access-date=2017-05-01|language=en-US}}</ref> The fabrics include features that increase the swimmer's glide through water and reduce the absorption of water by the suit as opposed to regular swimsuits. Additionally, the suits are extremely tight, which make the swimmers body more streamlined and help reduce the buildup of [[lactic acid]] in the body. <ref>{{Cite web |last=McFadden |first=Christopher |date=2019-11-24 |title=How Swim Suits Help Improve a Swimmer's Performance |url=https://interestingengineering.com/innovation/how-do-swim-suits-help-improve-a-swimmers-performance |access-date=2023-11-28 |website=interestingengineering.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Purpose and design ==
High-technology swimwear is designed to reduce drag and improve swimming performance.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.catalogs.com/info/sports/what-is-high-tech-swimwear.html|title=What Is High-Tech Swimwear|website=www.catalogs.com|language=en|access-date=2017-05-07}}</ref> [[Speedo]] claims that their [[LZR Racer]] reduced drag or water resistance by 38% compared to a traditional Lycra practice swim suit.<ref name=":1"/> This high-technology swimwear is designed to minimize drag while maximizing support to muscles.<ref name=":1" /> Some companies claim that their fabrics reduce drag even more than the water's normal friction against the skin. To do this, they design high-end lines of [[competitive swimwear]] that cover the arms and legs. The fabric used for high-technology swimwear is light and water-repellent. The material is often composed of highly stretchy [[spandex]] and [[nylon]]. High-technology swimwear is often made using bonded seams, to reduce further drag. These suits also provide the compression necessary to increase performance.<ref name=":1" /> 

== Regulation ==
After the 2008 Olympic Games, the [[FINA|International Swimming Federation]] (FINA) voted to regulate the use of high-technology swimwear in competition. More than 130 [[List of world records in swimming|swimming world records]] were broken from 2008 through 2009 through the use of high-tech swimwear. However, FINA unanimously voted to regulate the use of these suits in official competition beginning in 2010.<ref>Crouse, Karen (July 24, 2009) [https://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/25/sports/25swim.html?_r=0 Swimming Bans High-Tech Suits, Ending an Era]. New York Times</ref> The banned suits used in 2008 and 2009 were polyurethane based. Guidelines as of 2015 have specific measures to regulate the thickness, buoyancy, and permeability of the fabric.<ref name=":2">{{Cite journal|last=FINA|title=FINA REQUIREMENTS FOR SWIMWEAR APPROVAL (FRSA)|url=https://www.fina.org/sites/default/files/frsa.pdf}}</ref> The high-technology suits used in competition are no longer able to have zippers or other types of fastening.<ref name=":2" /> A large change found in the FINA regulations is the regulations in the design of the suit. Unlike the body suits seen in the 2008 Olympics, men's suits cannot extend above the navel or below the knee. Women's suits cannot cover the neck or extend past the shoulders, or below the knee.<ref name=":2" />

In September of 2020, [[USA Swimming]] banned 'tech suits' (another name for high tech swimsuits) for any USA Swimming member 12 years or younger competing at any USA Swimming sanctioned, observed, or approved meet, with the exception of Junior Nationals, [[US Open (swimming)|US Open]], [[United States Swimming National Championships|National Championships]], and [[United States Olympic trials (swimming)|Olympic Trials]] swim meets. <ref>{{Cite web |title=Tech Suit Restriction For 12 And Under Swimmers |url=http://www.usaswimming.org/news/2020/08/24/tech-suit-restriction-for-12-and-under-swimmers |access-date=2023-11-28 |website=www.usaswimming.org |language=en}}</ref> These regulations were enacted for multiple reasons, though the main reasons were to lower the cost of participation for young swimmers, and to make sure swimmers were focused on swimming, instead of buying suits. <ref>{{Cite web |title=Breaking Down the New 12 & Under Tech Suit Rule |url=https://www.swimoutlet.com/blogs/official/breaking-down-the-new-12-under-tech-suit-rule |access-date=2023-11-28 |website=SwimOutlet.com |language=en}}</ref>

== Manufacturers ==
High-tech fabric lines by swimwear manufacturers:
* A3 Performance – Stealth, Legend, and VICI
* [[Speedo]] – [[Aquablade]], [[Fastskin]], [[Fastskin 3]], [[LZR Racer]], LZR Elite, and LZR X
* [[Nike Inc.|Nike]] – [[LiftSuit]] and NG-1
* [[Arena (swimwear)|Arena]] – [[Arena Powerskin|Powerskin ST]], [[Arena Powerskin|Powerskin XP]] and [[Arena Powerskin|Powerskin R-EVO]], [[Arena X-Glide]],<ref name="Arena PowerSkin">{{cite web|url=http://www.arenapowerskin.com|title=Arena Powerskin (official website)|author=Arena International}}</ref> and [[Carbon Ultra]]
* [[Adidas]] – JetConcept, Hydrofoil, and Adizero
* [[TYR Sports, Inc.|TYR]] – Venzo, Avictor, Fusion, [[Aquapel]], [[Aquashift]], [[Tracer (swimsuit)|Tracer]], [[AP12]], and Avictor
* [http://www.zoneswimwear.com Zone Swimwear]
* [[Dolfin Swimwear|Dolfin]] – Titanium, LightStrike
* blueseventy  –  NeroTX and neroFIT
*[https://us.michaelphelps.com/ MP Michael Phelps] - Xpresso
* [[Mizuno Corporation|Mizuno]] – GX Sonic
* Finis - Vapor, Rival

== Controversy ==

=== Advantages ===

Whether high-tech fabric lines such as these give substantial advantages to swimmers is debated. High-technology suits can increase one's [[human swimming|swimming]] speed by around 4 percent.<ref name=":1"/> Other studies suggest that high tech suits are able to reduce drag by around 4–6% and decrease energy cost by a similar amount. Other studies show evidence that in 50-meter races, these suits result in times that are approximately 0.5 seconds faster. <ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-07-01 |title=Do Tech Suits Make a Difference?- Here's What Science Says |url=https://swimcompetitive.com/swim-gear/do-tech-suits-make-a-difference/ |access-date=2023-11-28 |language=en-US}}</ref> A 2012 study, by Joel Stager of [[Indiana University Bloomington|Indiana University]]'s [[Counsilman Center for the Science of Swimming]], reportedly found an increase of only 0.34%.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.indiana.edu/~ccss/files/Documents/2012%20Brammer,%20Stager,%20Tanner.%20Beyond%20the%20_high-tech_%20suits,%20Predicting%202012%20Olympic%20Swim%20Performances.pdf|title=Beyond the "High-Tech" Suits: Predicting 2012 Olympic Swim Performances}}</ref> Most of the manufacturers counter with their own studies though touting the advantages of their own individual lines overall and against their competitors. Different manufacturers also offer specific advantages to particular types of swimmers—for example, the LZR X is popular among freestyle sprinters for its compression, while many distance swimmers find the compression detrimental to leg muscles over the course of a longer race. Meanwhile, Arena suits are often preferred by breaststrokers for a looser fit, enabling better range of motion while performing a breaststroke kick.  

=== Cost ===

The materials are sometimes very expensive (USD$300–$600 or GBP£300-£500 for a full suit), limiting their use to highly competitive and professional levels of the sport. Additionally, women's suits are typically much more expensive than men's suits: the TYR Avictor costs $350 for men,<ref>{{Cite web |title=TYR Men's Avictor™ 2.0. High Waist Jammer Swimsuit - Exolon |url=https://www.tyr.com/tyr-men-s-avictortm-2-0-high-waist-jammer-exolon.html |access-date=2023-11-28 |website=www.tyr.com |language=en}}</ref> but $500 for women;<ref>{{Cite web |title=TYR Women's Avictor™ 2.0. Open Back Swimsuit - Exolon |url=https://www.tyr.com/tyr-women-s-avictortm-2-0-open-back-exolon.html |access-date=2023-11-28 |website=www.tyr.com |language=en}}</ref> the arena Carbon Core costs $415 for men,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Powerskin Carbon Core Fx Berries Limited Edition Jammer |url=https://www.arenasport.com/en_us/006337-400-powerskin-carbon-core-fx-berries-limited-edition-jammer.html |access-date=2023-11-28 |website=www.arenasport.com |language=en-US}}</ref> but $575 for women,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Powerskin Carbon Core Fx Berries Limited Edition Open Back |url=https://www.arenasport.com/en_us/006335-400-powerskin-carbon-core-fx-berries-limited-edition-open-back.html |access-date=2023-11-28 |website=www.arenasport.com |language=en-US}}</ref> and the Speedo LZR Pure Intent costs $400<ref>{{Cite web |title=Men's Fastskin LZR Pure Intent 2.0 High Waist Jammer |url=https://us.speedo.com/men-s-fastskin-lzr-pure-intent-2.0-high-waist-jammer/14990686.html |access-date=2023-11-28 |website=Speedo US |language=en-us}}</ref> for men but $600 for women.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Women's Fastskin LZR Pure Intent 2.0 Openback Kneeskin |url=https://us.speedo.com/women-s-fastskin-lzr-pure-intent-2.0-openback-kneeskin/14990656.html |access-date=2023-11-28 |website=Speedo US |language=en-us}}</ref> However, in recent years with the advance of technology the most basic 'high-technology swimwear' can be purchased for approximately $100 or £100.

=== Records ===

Prior to the start of the ban of the high-tech swimsuits at the start of 2010, estimated that over 130 world records had already been broken using the high-tech fabrics. Nearly every medal winner at the [[2008 Summer Olympics]] made use of the high-tech swimwear. This is often seen as the catalyst behind the "technological arms race" in professional swimming competitions including the [[2009 World Aquatics Championships|2009 World Championships]]. World Champion American swimmer [[Aaron Peirsol]], who swam two world record times at the 2009 World Championships, said, "A lot of us are joking that this might be the fastest we ever go, we might as well enjoy this (2009) year."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/24/AR2009072403568.html |title=FINA Opts To Ban All High-Tech Swimsuits in Unanimous Vote |work=[[Washingtonpost.com]] |date=2009-07-24 |access-date=2014-05-19}}</ref> Many thought the introduced regulations on high-technology swimwear would end the era of record-breaking performances in swimming, and existing world records currently beaten with the high-tech swimwear be annotated with an asterisk.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Elliot|first=Helene|date=2009-07-28|title=Suits making a mockery of swimming championships|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2009-jul-28-sp-elliott-world-swim28-story.html|access-date=2021-08-16|website=Los Angeles Times|language=en-US|quote=“This is just ridiculous,” five-time Olympian Dara Torres told reporters in Rome. Each of those records should be accompanied by an asterisk and an apology from FINA, the international governing body for aquatic sports.}}</ref> Nearly two and a half years after FINA regulations were in place nine records were broken at the [[2012 Summer Olympics|2012 Olympics]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2012/08/10/sports/olympics/london-2012-world-records.html?_r=0|title=The World Records That Fell|last1=Watkins|first1=Derek|last2=Ericson|first2=Matthew|website=[[The New York Times]] |access-date=2017-05-01}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Competitive swimwear}}

[[Category:Swimsuits]]
[[Category:Swimming controversies]]