Swimsuits for Swimming Competitions
Abstract: a comparative study on selection and performance in swimming competitions is carried out by means of literature materials, expert interviews and comparative analysis. It is concluded that swimming competition has three characteristics: the particularity of the competition environment, the uniqueness of sports equipment, and the challenge of self-spirit. Performance, material and other aspects of Speedo's fourth generation swimsuits fully reflect the technology. The performance of Arena swimsuits pursuits more the characteristics of human forms and functions, and the flow of human activities is better. Provide a theoretical reference for the sustainable development service of swimsuits to ensure swimming competitions.
Swimsuits are must-have for participants in swimming competitions. The selection and development of swimsuits bring surprises and confusion to swimming competitions. The research and discussion of swimsuits for swimming competitions will help to further understand the performance technology of swimsuits for swimming competitions, further explore the shared point of technology and sports competitions, and provide theoretical references for swimsuits to ensure the sustainable development of swimming competitions.
1. Research objects and methods
1.1 Research objects
The research object is the swimsuit used by athletes in competitive swimming competitions.
1.2 Research methods
1.2.1 Documentation
The documentation about the development of swimsuits and swimming competitions was looked up to understand and master the current situation and development of swimsuits and swimming competitions.
1.2.2 Expert interviews
Interviews were conducted on the performance, use and characteristics of swimming competitions, and listen to the valuable opinions of experts, which laid a solid theoretical and practical foundation for the research.
1.2.3 Comparative analyses
A comparative analysis was conducted on the documentation about swimsuits of various brands and their swimming performance, and their performance characteristics and current status of sports performance were explored.
2. Results and analyses
2.1 Features of swimming competitions
The swimming competition is a competition in which the head, trunk, arms and legs are used to swim at the speed of swimming in the specified water. Swimming competition has three characteristics. Firstly, it has the particularity of the competition environment. Swimming is a movement that overcomes resistance and utilizes buoyancy in the nature of water, which is different from other land sports; secondly, it has the uniqueness of sports devices, including swimsuits, swimming goggles and swimming caps, the color and styles all promote the sports performance and viewing of swimming competitions; thirdly, they are challenging with self-spirit. Swimming competition is the movement of the human body overcoming the water environment, and people can fully reflect the self-struggle spirit of overcoming difficulties when using water.
2.2 The development of swimsuits for swimming competitions
With the deepening of swimming competitions, the competition in the sports arena is becoming more and more fierce. In order to fight for this one hundredth of a second, swimwear manufacturers and distributors around the world are making every effort to research swimwear that reduces the resistance of athletes in the water. In the 1988 Seoul Olympics, the United States launched a "Hercules" swimsuit containing polyurethane fibers and ultra-fine nylon fibers, and the American athletes won gold medals. In 2000, at the Sydney Olympic Games, sharkskin swimsuits appeared in the swimming field, which not only perfectly showed the fitness and beauty of athletes, but also a high-tech competition field in the swimming world. Until the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, the fourth-generation sharkskin swimsuits have helped athletes to break world records repeatedly, accelerated the rapid improvement of sports performance, and brought great swimming performance. In 2010, FINA ordered "a comprehensive ban on high-tech swimwear from January 1, 2010", and has new regulations for swimwear. In 2012, Arena developed Infiniti products that use different stretchable materials, and the reaction force generated by this material to help athletes complete the repelling action and recycle.
2.2.1 Comparative analyses of the fourth generations of Speedo swimsuits
Through analysis, it can be seen that the four generations of swimsuits have gradually improved in performance, materials, characteristics and styles, and the technology content has become higher and higher, gradually fitting the human body, and caring about the feeling of athletes after using it, which is more human in this aspect. It is more and more simple and decent in design. It only took 8 years for the four generations of swimsuits, which proves that the technology of swimsuits is getting greater and greater, promotes the level of swimming competition, frequently breaks world records, and helps athletes improve their performance in all aspects.
Table 1 Comparative analyses of the four generations of Speedo swimsuits
Swimsuits are must-have for participants in swimming competitions. The selection and development of swimsuits bring surprises and confusion to swimming competitions. The research and discussion of swimsuits for swimming competitions will help to further understand the performance technology of swimsuits for swimming competitions, further explore the shared point of technology and sports competitions, and provide theoretical references for swimsuits to ensure the sustainable development of swimming competitions.
1. Research objects and methods
1.1 Research objects
The research object is the swimsuit used by athletes in competitive swimming competitions.
1.2 Research methods
1.2.1 Documentation
The documentation about the development of swimsuits and swimming competitions was looked up to understand and master the current situation and development of swimsuits and swimming competitions.
1.2.2 Expert interviews
Interviews were conducted on the performance, use and characteristics of swimming competitions, and listen to the valuable opinions of experts, which laid a solid theoretical and practical foundation for the research.
1.2.3 Comparative analyses
A comparative analysis was conducted on the documentation about swimsuits of various brands and their swimming performance, and their performance characteristics and current status of sports performance were explored.
2. Results and analyses
2.1 Features of swimming competitions
The swimming competition is a competition in which the head, trunk, arms and legs are used to swim at the speed of swimming in the specified water. Swimming competition has three characteristics. Firstly, it has the particularity of the competition environment. Swimming is a movement that overcomes resistance and utilizes buoyancy in the nature of water, which is different from other land sports; secondly, it has the uniqueness of sports devices, including swimsuits, swimming goggles and swimming caps, the color and styles all promote the sports performance and viewing of swimming competitions; thirdly, they are challenging with self-spirit. Swimming competition is the movement of the human body overcoming the water environment, and people can fully reflect the self-struggle spirit of overcoming difficulties when using water.
2.2 The development of swimsuits for swimming competitions
With the deepening of swimming competitions, the competition in the sports arena is becoming more and more fierce. In order to fight for this one hundredth of a second, swimwear manufacturers and distributors around the world are making every effort to research swimwear that reduces the resistance of athletes in the water. In the 1988 Seoul Olympics, the United States launched a "Hercules" swimsuit containing polyurethane fibers and ultra-fine nylon fibers, and the American athletes won gold medals. In 2000, at the Sydney Olympic Games, sharkskin swimsuits appeared in the swimming field, which not only perfectly showed the fitness and beauty of athletes, but also a high-tech competition field in the swimming world. Until the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, the fourth-generation sharkskin swimsuits have helped athletes to break world records repeatedly, accelerated the rapid improvement of sports performance, and brought great swimming performance. In 2010, FINA ordered "a comprehensive ban on high-tech swimwear from January 1, 2010", and has new regulations for swimwear. In 2012, Arena developed Infiniti products that use different stretchable materials, and the reaction force generated by this material to help athletes complete the repelling action and recycle.
2.2.1 Comparative analyses of the fourth generations of Speedo swimsuits
Through analysis, it can be seen that the four generations of swimsuits have gradually improved in performance, materials, characteristics and styles, and the technology content has become higher and higher, gradually fitting the human body, and caring about the feeling of athletes after using it, which is more human in this aspect. It is more and more simple and decent in design. It only took 8 years for the four generations of swimsuits, which proves that the technology of swimsuits is getting greater and greater, promotes the level of swimming competition, frequently breaks world records, and helps athletes improve their performance in all aspects.
Table 1 Comparative analyses of the four generations of Speedo swimsuits
| Performance | Materials | Features | Styles | |
| The first generation | Reducing resistance | Nylon elastic spandex blend | Connected with 26 stitches every 3 cm flat seamless stitching | Long sleeves, high neckline and length to the ankle, the upper and lower body is pulled tight and close to the body by the zipper in the middle of the back. |
| The second generation | Increasing elasticity and reducing resistance | Polytetrafluoroethylene | Reduce water resistance by 30%, and the overall function is improved by 7.5%. | The stitch position is improved and a super stretch stitch is used. |
| The third generation | Elasticity, resistance reduction, water proof and quick drying | Oxygen resistant elastic yarn and characteristic nylon yarn | Have elasticity of 5% more than similar products | No long sleeves and high neck, one-piece swimsuit |
| The fourth generation | Elasticity, resistance reduction, water proof, quick drying and heat retention of human body function | Space synthetic materials | No wrinkles, and adhesive seams, ultrasonic stitching |
The same as the third generation |
2.2.2 Performance analyses of arena swimsuits
Arena swimsuit was born in France. The performance of swimsuits is constantly updated, and the update frequency is very fast. During the update, the impact on the body caused by athletes' water removal gradually improves the range of human activities and the effect of running water. From the original spandex to high-density fabrics with fine fibers, and it became thinner and lighter from generation to generation. Before 2000, it was mainly used to prevent water penetration, reduce exercise consumption and water flow resistance. From 2000 to 2009, performance of swimsuits gradually increased and the cutting updated. During this period, 17 countries chose to use the Arena swimsuit and won 49 medals. In 2010, during the period when "high-tech" swimsuits were banned, Arena swimsuits changed their design concepts, making them more considerate to the human body in terms of performance, making them comfortable for athletes to wear. The 2012 Arena swimsuit uses different stretchable materials, and the reaction force of these materials helps the participants to complete the leg movement, which can also be recycled. The 2013 Arena swimsuit is made of polyurethane; the surface is embossed, and it is wound horizontally to fit the body shape, forming a flowing snake-like pattern. The 2014 Arena swimsuit is lighter and thinner than the 2013 swimsuit, with a thickness of only 0.33 mm, which stabilizes the body and muscles and fully supports high-level swimming competitions.
3. Conclusion
(1) Swimming competition has three characteristics: the particularity of the competition environment, the uniqueness of sports equipment, and the challenge of self-spirit.
(2) Speedo's fourth-generation swimsuit fully embodies technology in performance and materials.
(3) The performance of Arena swimsuit is more in pursuit of the characteristics of human form and functions, and the flow of human activities is better.
