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2009 
Progressive Sports Technologies help Speedo develop the LZR Racer triathlon suit
http://www.lboro.ac.uk/service/publicity/news-releases/2009/146_SPEEDO.html
Progressive Sports Technologies, a Loughborough University spinout company, has helped Speedo to develop a world-class triathlon suit. Inspired by the record breaking LZR Racer swim suit worn by athletes including Michael Phelps and Rebecca Adlington to take 94% of the swimming gold medals in Beijing, the new triathlon suit is designed to be the lightest, fastest and most comfortable suit on the market.
Progressive tested a selection of elite triathletes running and cycling in the LZR racer Tri-Pro suit in a controlled climate chamber. With a constant temperature of 32°C and 70% humidity, the suit’s quick dry, moisture wicking properties were pushed to the limit. Infrared skin temperature measurements were captured, along with the athlete’s perception of comfort, fit and function.
For Speedo, the Nottingham based brand world renowned for technical swimwear, the alliance with Progressive is ideal, as Dr Tom Waller Head of Aqualab, Speedo’s R&D arm, explains: “Our performance wear is underpinned by extensive research with world-leading experts. Progressive has tested our LZR racer Tri-Pro suit to the extreme to ensure it performs exceptionally across all phases of the triathlon.”
Based at Loughborough University’s Sports Technology Institute, Progressive works with many of the world’s leading sports brands on cutting edge research. Current projects include the commercialisation of a garment that boosts athletic performance by training breathing muscles, which was successfully trialed by members of the GB Triathlon team also headquartered at the University. Progressive has also developed a range of licensed fitness equipment, including an abdominal muscle training device (Ab-pump) which has recently been commercialised.
Ross Weir, Managing Director of Progressive, commented: “As a company originating from within Loughborough University, Progressive benefits from excellent relationships with sports scientists and engineers and the array of elite athletes based here. Our work with Speedo has enabled our expertise, coupled with access to Loughborough University’s facilities, to help Speedo launch a groundbreaking product.”
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2009
Compression garments and socks allowed back into Ironman competition
http://www.slowtwitch.com/News/Compression_sock_ban_reversed_1009.html
In an interesting article published by Herbert Krabel of slowtwitch, the World Triahtlon Corporation was reportedly going to ban compression wear from Ironman competitions.
From slowtwitch:
"Just before 7pm EST tonight I received an e-mail with the following statement from Blair LaHaye, the Director of Communications of World Triathlon Corporation. "In response to athlete feedback, World Triathlon Corporation (WTC) has retracted its ban on garments that cover the calves at this year's Ford Ironman World Championship, taking place on October 10, in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. Because the age of athletes wearing these garments is not visible, Ironman will eliminate marking athletes' ages on calves in Kona to ensure fairness among the field. The tradition of body marking of bib numbers on athletes' arms will remain in place. WTC will continue reviewing this issue and evaluating ways to display ages of participating athletes."
There had been all kinds of speculations and rumors about the "real" reason behind the initial ban of socks and other garments that cover the calves, but now quite a few people will be able to sleep better the next few weeks. Especially the industry people who make compression socks, the Pros who earn money doing so, and the age groupers who have come to accept them as the miracle solution. "
For more information see slowtwitch.
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2009
Jaked J01 swimsuit shows off more than the ladies would like
A very unfortunate incident happened where Itlaian swimmer Flavia Zoccari's swimsuit burst open in an embarrassing place during the Mediterranean Games. Unfortunately I am not obliged to show the pictures but please visit the link.
Joking aside this is a very serious concern for the swimmer and future wearers of the FINA banned swimsuit. She could not compete in the end which affected her confidence for the race.
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2009
Speedo release the LZR Racer TRi-Pro triathlon suit with fastskin
http://www.speedo.com/triathlon/
This is well worth a look - Speedo have now released their LZR Racer TRi-Pro suit. According to their website:
The LZR Racer Tri-Pro range harnesses the Speedo Aqualab's R & D expertise and understanding of the human body, performance materials and the environment to deliver products that perform.
26% lighter than the nearest competitios the suit offers leg compression, padding, seam engineering and hydrodynamic performance.
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2009
FINIS AquaPulse Heart rate monitor
FINIS, the Worldwide Leader in Technical Swimming Development, unveils today the “AquaPulse” heart rate monitor, a small slender workout accessory built for swimmers looking to maximize their workout through heart rate training. Featuring FINIS' patented bone-conduction technology and a unique infrared heart rate sensor, the AquaPulse will be available in May 2009 for $139.99 at sport retailers’ world wide and at WWW.FINISINC.COM. The FINIS AquaPulse uses an accurate infrared sensor that clips to the earlobe in order to pick up the swimmer’s heart rate. By measuring the light pulses due to capillary blood flow in the skin, the sensors calculate the number of beats/minute (b/m) that the body is working. The internal computer within the AquaPulse then audibly communicates this heart rate to the user using the revolutionary Bone-Conduction Technology, a unique sound transfer technology that communicates sound vibrations through the temple bone to the inner ear. Humans normally hear through air conduction, but because there is no air underneath the water, bone conduction provides the clearest sound quality possible. By simply turning the unit on, the user’s heart rate can be sensed and automatically communicated. All functions are integrated into one small unit that the user clips on to their goggle strap and rests on their temple. The AquaPulse heart rate monitor consistently communicates the heart rate every pre-set time period. The user can program this time period from as little as 20 seconds up to 5 minutes, allowing for continuous feedback during training. It also features an instantaneous heart rate function. The user can simply press a button at any time and their most current b/m will be communicated. “Current heart rate monitors are meant for running and dryland training, but are quite awkward for training in the water as athletes are hindered by awkward straps and watches. We created the new FINIS AquaPulse heart rate monitor specifically for swimmers so they could continually swim and understand their heart rate without stopping and train in their proper ‘heart-rate zone’ more accurately. Our heart rate monitor features a water proof design that changes both how the heart rate is sensed and transmitted to the user,” says John Mix, President of FINIS.
Images and information reprinted from finisinc.com
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2009
Fashy aqua-fitness socks
Fashy have developed a range of underwater fitness socks that are great for water aerobics, water-step and just general walking around and in a swimming pool.
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2009
H2O Audio introduce Surge headphones
H2O Audio specialising in waterproof headphones and MP3 players have released a new bass amplified waterproof headphone. The technology is able to work to 12ft, comes with 5 "individualised earplugs", is compatible with Apple iPhone and is available in a range of colours.
Surge Bass Amplified Waterproof Headphones retail at $59.99.
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2009
US swim team use high-speed tracking
Tim wei, a mechanical and aerospace engineer at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, has developed a technique to study swimmers movements using fluid dynamics. According to Technology Review:
"Wei uses a tracking technique called digital particle image velocimetry, commonly used to measure the flow of small particles around an airplane or small fish or crustaceans in water. For water-based flow experiments, researchers pour minute silver-coated beads into water and illuminate them with a laser. A high-speed digital video camera tracks the downstream flow of beads over the creature".
"Wei devised a novel solution: instead of glass beads, he filtered compressed air in a scuba tank through a porous hose to create bubbles about a tenth of a millimeter in diameter. An athlete swims through a sheet of bubbles that rises from the pool floor, and a camera captures their flow around the swimmer's body. Images show the direction and speed of the bubbles, which Wei then translates into the swimmer's thrust using software that he wrote. "More force equals faster swimming," he says.
Read more here.
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2009
Swimmill - the aquatic treadmill
Swimmill is the aquatic version of the treadmill as it lets you swim without changing your position. The water current produced by Swimmill is the one that moves. Swimmill allows you to adjust the speed of the water current to satisfy all kinds of swimmers, from beginners to the most advanced. It makes the length of your pool infinite and allows you to enjoy swimming for any time or distance you choose in your own home. Moreover, it makes possible to avoid those frequent and annoying turns and allows you to focus entirely on your swimming exercise. The Swimmill Standard System comes for a cool $5,900 and the figure escalates as you go for optional features, but that will compensate for the fact that you never have to turn around at the edge of your pool again.
Text from bornrich.
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2009
Speedo Aquabeat MP3 player
Speedo in conjunction with Iriver have released a waterproof MP3 player that has 1GB storage, plays for 9 hours on one charge and weighs just 35 grams. The players and earphones work at 3 metres below the water's surface and retail for $145.
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2009
Women specific goggles by Aqua Sphere
Aqua sphere have highlighted the necessity for women specific goggles, recognising the fact that women's faces are narrower than men's. In an article from sports insight, Martin Newton, sales and marketing manager UK, tells us “We acknowledge that, on average, women’s face shapes are significantly narrower than men’s, so we took the decision to carefully re-design our unique Softeril facial skirt to ensure that even the most petite features are fitted with a snug, comfortable and waterproof seal. The resultant Kaiman Lady and the Seal XPT Lady meet female demands perfectly - delivering style, fit, visibility, ease of use and durability - and offering female swimmers arguably their most comfortable swim experience yet.”
In line with the rest of Aqua Sphere’s goggle range, both goggles offer the brand’s signature 180 degree wide-angle vision and include an innovative easy-to-adjust buckle system. The scratch and fog resistant curved lenses deliver 100 per cent UVA/UVB protection and superior transparency. Available at retail from June 2008, the Kaiman Lady has an SRP of £12.99, while the Seal XPT Lady is £17.99.
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2009
TYR launches technical swimwear
TYR Sport Inc., a leader in high performance swimwear for over 20-years presented its latest generation technical swimsuit Tracer Rise at a press conference held during today’s French Olympic Trials. Tracer Rise features the first woven high performance urethane fabric ever used in competition. Wearing the Tracer Rise, Doug Van Wie set the World Record in the 4x100m Freestyle S.C. Relay. Featuring Rapid Boundary Technology™, the new patent-pending technical swimsuit was unequivocally approved for competition by FINA on April 12.
Information and images from TYR.
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2009
Speedo swim-suit the cause of so many world record breaking times?
Officials from the International Swimming Federation (FINA) are examining Speedo's competitive swimwear following a number of record breaking performances by athletes recently. Should further record breaking performances occur at the World Championships in Manchester, then a full review will be implemented. A fuller report can be viewed at MSNBC.
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2009
GB Swimmers to receive innovation and design expertise from ESPRC
Ideas formulated at the 2006 ‘Going for Gold’ workshops organised by UK Sport and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council have led to the development of new computer software that could enable British swimmers to improve their technique. Information reprinted from UK Sport newsletter.
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2009
Speedo release new Olympic Swimsuit
The Speedo LZR Racer suits are seamless and boast five per cent less passive drag than the Speedo FS-PRO which was launched just under a year ago.
For more information please click the link. Images and information reprinted from theage.
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