The purpose of this study was to clarify the thermal effect of wearing the long type swimsuits (bodysuits) during prolonged swimming. The subjects were 12 male college competitive swimmers aged 20.2±1.3yr, height 174.0±6.4cm, body weight 69.1±7.7 kg, %Fat 17.7±3.1%. All the subjects trained regularly for 2-3 hours a day, 5-7 times in a week. They were informed of the aims, risks, and benefits of this investigation both verbally and in writing prior to signing an informed consent document. The subjects swam 1500 m in front crawl stroke with two type of competitive swimsuits (6 subjects : regular swimsuit group, 6 subjects : bodysuit group). The temperature logger (3650, HIOKI, Japan) were attached on the swimmer's calf, thigh, abdomen, chest, and forearm. Those skin temperatures were measured throughout the swimming at minute intervals. Body temperature (oral:Tb), rating of perceived exertion (RPE), and perceived thermal sensation of head (TSH) and body (TSB) were measured on completion of the swimming. Mean skin temperature during swimming for BODYSUIT group and REGULAR group were 33.0±0.38 and 32.6±0.35, respectively (p<0.05). There were significant differences in TSB (6.5±0.8, 5.6±0.2) and TSH (7.1±0.3, 5.9±0.6) for BODYSUIT group and REGULAR group, respectively (p<0.05). These results suggested that this small temperature logger makes it possible to measure skin temperature during swimming. The thermal responses to swimming wearing the long swimsuits were significantly higher than wearing the regular swimsuits. Therefore, swimmers might be required to pay attention to wear the long swimsuits during prolonged/high intensity swimming in the environment of warm water.

DESCENTE SPORTS SCIENCE Vol.23/THE DESCENTE AND ISHIMOTO MEMORIAL FOUNDATION FOR THE PROMOTION SPORTS SCIENCE