Is the Speedo LZR Better Than Skinny Dipping?
So is winning no matter what the inequities involved the purpose of the games? Why then the rulings on the use of drugs to enhance performance? One point about drugs is that unlike a swimsuit, their longterm use is not detrimental to the health of an athlete. Why then the separation between the sexes? Should the swimming suit be a tool to enhance performance or just some way to provide modesty? The Speedo LZR has fueled this debate once more.
The Speedo LZR is a product of research in wind tunnels and was built with winning athletes in mind. The swimsuit is made of materials that dry quickly, reduce resistance in the water, shape the body so it can work most efficiently, and funnel water away from the body. The biggest issue behind the Speedo LZR is not everyone will have access to this swimsuit when they compete in the Olympics. Is this fair? Should their use be limited until everyone can wear one or should they be permanently banned like drugs?
When I swam in swim team in high school, we were very aware of our swimsuit. We wanted a swimsuit that could take the plunge when the shot rang out at the start, without collecting water inside the suit, without, having any fly back when you hit the water, and without limiting your ability to reach in your stroke. The cut of the shoulder made all the difference as did the quality of the material. We didn't want a swimsuit that looked good and bore team colors primarily, we wanted one that didn't resist our efforts. We had to wear a swimsuit because of modesty issues, we never hoped for a swimsuit to help us out. It is truly nice to hear there is one.
Other factors like what we ate, the temperature of the water, the stability of the start block, the skill of the timers, and the location of the ropes all played their part. Our condition also made a big difference. Typically I swam three times a day, a mile in the morning, another in the afternoon and then more in the evening. I learned to breathe chlorine full time.
Many competitors wore swim caps to cut down on the resistance of their hair, if they chose to keep their hair. Many shaved as much off as possible, men shaving their legs. All wanted a good coat of oil on their skin. Every second counted.
I wasn't a first place winner in the Olympics or even in high school. I am a winner because I found a sport I love and a healthy lifestyle that will ensure I survive for a long time. That's the real role the sport plays. Other than the good will fostered by people sharing an activity that they love. That's why I think the use of a Speedo LZR should wait until everyone can have one. Goodwill.
Published by Sheri Fresonke Harper
Sheri works as a freelance writer, novelist and poet. She worked in the aviation industry at the Port of Seattle and Boeing Company for 20 years as a systems analyst/architect where she edited and wrote over... View profile
- The Contribution of Human Resource Management to Organisational Performance This article defines, explains and applies human resource management theory and elucidates how good practice can dramatically change every organisation's performance.
- The Positive Effects of Rewards and Performance Standards on Intrinsic Motivation Overview of the article "Positive Effects of Rewards and Performance Standards on Intrinsic Motivation" by David W. Pierce, et. al. Looks at the impact of rewards on intrinsic motivation, then extrapolates those find...
- Sport Psychology in Improving Athletic Performance Sport psychology- a new field being used to improve athletic performance mentally instead of just focusing on the physical.
- Speedo's LZR Racer -The New "Edge" in Swimming? a swimmers analysis on the new Speedo bodysuit, the LZR Racer
- Does Space Age LZR Swimsuit Make Water Seem Too Invisible for Olympic Games Swimme... The space age LZR swimsuit, made by Speedo, may become standard wear for competitive swimmers during and after the Olympic Games of 2008. But is it giving swimmers a fair or unfair advantage?
- Michael Phelps, Mark Spitz: Olympic Games, Swimsuit Controversies and Fatigue Fact...
- Web Gardening to Enhance Performance
- How to Enhance Athletic Performance
- Improving Sports Performance with All-Natural Medicine
- Speedo's LZR Racer Suit and Its Use at the Beijing Olympics Sparks Protests from C...
- Bazi: For Athletes Only!? Enhance Performance Without Contraband!? Read the Story!
- a Growing Epidemic; Performance Enhancing Drugs in Sports
|
|
- Swimmers want a swimsuit that doesn't restrict their performance.
- Artificial aids like drugs aren't always beneficial to the athlete.
- Good will is the main point of nations sharing a sport not competition.
18 Comments
Post a CommentI always buy Speedos as they stand up well to my swimming three or four time a week in a pool. However I never heard of this type Speedo, I'll look it up. I found your article informative. I found Mr. Garners comments rude and had no difficulty reading your entire article. You go girl, any swimmer is a friend of mine. I agree it is a great way to stay in shape and I am pushing 75 real close. Without swimming I would not be walking today.
Umm, i would say it was informative, except that the historical info is quite inacurate. The marathon, not the, were resultant of Marathon's run.
The grammer's a bit rough to chew too. All in all, I couldn't get past the first paragraph.
Great info and article!
very cool product
Great information I never knew...Thanks
Obviously the suit is an asset or they wouldn't have spent big $$ to create it. I think either everyone wears the suit or no one gets to wear it. I really enjoyed reading this article and applaud you on your swimming routine. I love to swim too and this reminded me to seek out a gym with a pool ;-)
I too, think it is unfair for some to have them and not all. Of course every second counts, but people forget about good sportsmanship and what the word "games" really means. Great report, thanks
Good job!!!
Excellent info!
Wow, I was looking this up on google as well, and ti really does give an edge to the swimmers who have them. And as someone else has mentioned too, a psychological advantage is still just that, an advantage.