Making Waves
Mary Sanders, PH.D, FACSM, questions what’s the real secret behind the record-shattering performances, and what it means for swimming as a sport.
As I stepped toward the starting block at the University of Colorado, Boulder, I was stunned to see my competitors. Cut, chiseled muscles popped out beneath tight suits. I looked at my University of Wyoming coach Cliff Hansen and asked, “What’s up?” He shrugged his shoulders and said, “Weight training.” At the time, we didn’t lift. Mistake. The 500 free turned from a strategically paced swim to an all-out sprint that took my breath away, literally. On that day in the early ‘70s, my swimming training changed forever.
During the Olympic games in Beijing, China, the world experienced unparalleled success in swimming, with new world records and individual achievements. Michael Phelps from the USA, known now as the “Phelps Phenomenon,” won a record eight gold medals, and did it by a mile and also by 0.01 seconds. Alone and with teammates, Phelps is hailed as the greatest Olympian, achieving something that’s never been done before. He’s pushed the envelope of possibilities and changed the sport of swimming.
Faster world records were set by a few seconds, which represents “winning by a mile” in sports. In the men’s 400-meter medley, each swimmer completes 100 meters of one stroke—back, breast, butterfly and freestyle—to finish the race. USA’s team of Aaron Peirsol, Brendan Hansen, Michael Phelps, and Jason Lezak won gold with a time in the 400-meter medley that was 1.34 seconds faster than the former world record of 3:30.68.
Dara Torres competed in Beijing at her fifth Olympic games, winning an individual silver with an American record in women’s freestyle, for a total of twelve Olympic medals over the course of five games. But it wasn’t just Americans who were churning up the pool with record speeds. Australia, Germany, Japan, Russia, Netherlands and other nations were shattering records.
At the end of the 2008 Olympic Games, FINA—the international governing body of swimming—reports total medals in all aquatics, including water polo and synchronized swimming, as: USA 33 (12 Gold), China 18 (8 Gold), Australia 23 (7 Gold) and Russia 11 (3 Gold).
What’s the real secret behind the record-shattering performances, and what does it mean for swimming as a sport?
Suiting Up: Gimmick or Technology?
The biggest splash at the games may have been Speedo’s revolutionary LZR Racer swimsuit that propelled almost all of the swimming medal winners to the award stand.
What makes the LZR swimsuit so unique?
Speedo claims it utilized NASA technology to develop fabrics or materials and scanned 400 athletes to determine the optimal shape and form for swim performance.
The new design basically incorporated the following qualities: girdle-like core stabilization designed to hold the body in a shape that maximizes forward glide; light, water-repellent fabric that reduces water’s friction and body “vibration,” or jiggling, as it moves through water; and embedded panels shape the body into a streamlined form that reduces drag.
Other swimwear companies also invested in suit technology, hoping to make a winning splash at the games, including TYR, Nike, Arena, and Mizuno.
A heated debate continues between swimming organizations, coaches and rival swimwear brands that claim Speedo’s LZR bodysuit breached the sport’s rules because it contained illegal materials that enhanced performances.
Manufacturers have agreed to work together with FINA to clarify the rules that shape the suits and sport of the future. There is also a push for an independent committee responsible for testing and approving all suits. Swim caps, goggles and other items associated with swim performance also must adhere to rules of FINA.
While the debate continues, experts agree that record-breaking performances are due to a combination of factors.
“The Olympic performance is the ultimate goal, and many swimmers train for three to four years with only that one week in mind,” says Mick Nelson, Club Facilities Development Director of USA Swimming. “Therefore, we seem to be treading water as a sport for 46 months, then all of a sudden have breakthrough performances. The new suits have played a part, but I think it is more coaching techniques, better nutrition and training, and more dedicated athletes who have loftier goals.”
Certainly, genetics plays a role. Some people are born with physical characteristics that give them an edge. Long arms and large, flexible hands and feet work to propel a person forward. Teams of people help athletes stay stretched, massaged and strong so they can train and compete hard.
For the rest of us, we’ll have an opportunity to grow our skills (or gills) with new knowledge and motivation from awe-inspiring performances.
Dive Into the Future
Water acts as a great equalizer. I watch each day as the “noon swimmers” arrive. We come in all sizes, shapes and walking abilities, but when we hit the pool and get down to business, everyone looks pretty much the same. People glide through the water at their own pace—using their own rhythm with freedom of movement. It’s like watching a washing machine in action. Remember—rinse, lather, rinse, repeat.
Nelson feels that for us “mere mortals,” personal goals and progress are not attained in leaps and bounds but rather in baby steps. He suggests that we not depend on training gimmicks, supplements, equipment, etc. Swim for health and wellness and be proud when you reach your goals. Then appropriately set new ones based on your own abilities and commitment.
The Olympic swims by incredible athletes were awe-inspiring. The story continues to unfold about the impact that suit technology has on the sport and its future. These days, I’m swimming for health and fitness a little further, a bit faster and (I think) better. It’s up to you to walk to the edge and take the plunge yourself. Discover the power of water for healthy activity and enjoy the freedom of water, one splash at a time.
Personal View: In and Under Water
As a former swim competitor and synchronized swimming coach, I now prefer to jump in and swim with friends, enjoying water regularly for my own health and fitness— both horizontally as a swim and vertically as water exercise. My friends at noon swim never know if it’s a cap, goggles, flippers, and paddle swim day or a baseball hat, sunglasses, sneakers, and webbed-gloves run around the pool workout day. The competition is now to work a bit harder, go a step further, and perform every activity with better quality of movement—and to have fun!
Contacts/Resources
About the author: A highly regarded water fitness expert, Mary E. Sanders, Ph.D., F.A.C.S.M., is associate professor, University of Nevada School of Medicine, Reno, a Fellow member of the American College of Sports Medicine, and an enthusiastic fitness swimmer.
Features
The Modern Super Bowl
Get Your Diet Back on Track
Outsourcing U.S. Military Might
Beyond “The Biggest Loser”
Betty White Turns 90
^ ADVERTISEMENT ^
2 Comments ( Post a Comment )
As a former year round AAU swimmer(for 11 years) MS in Kinesiology from UCLA YMCA aquatics director and swimming instructor I enjoyed your article very much. Right now I try and swim 2 to 3 times a week and often end only going once. I am inspired to try and do better and get there more often. As working out on machines in the gym bores me I do try to walk and do the Pilates 20 minute workout when I don’t swim. I think one of the biggest deterrents to swimming for women is getting their hair wet. It is a hassle and time consuming to be redoing your hair all the time even if it’s short. Kudos to the person who figures out how to swim without getting your hair wet!
The one secret that Dara Torres has taught us (40 ) women is that as we get older we have to train smarter. Using weight training cross training and focusing in on quality vs quantity of our workouts will allow us to maintain our strength and vigor for life. As a Masters Swimmer and water exercise enthusiast I say get in the pool!