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Purpose – The purpose of this study was to compare the influence of different type of wetsuits: with or without sleeves, on the arm stroke characteristics.Methods – Twenty three swimmers were filmed during three randomised trials of 400 m front crawl, at maximum speed: in complete wetsuit, sleeveless suit, and without wetsuit. Wetsuits are made of 5 mm of thickness smooth neoprene.Conclusion – Results pointed out that despite a weaker buoyancy, the sleeveless suit was more efficient, improving the performance. The increase of the swimming speed was related to a greater distance per stroke. Moreover, the feeling perceived by the swimmer were better the sleeveless suit preserving shoulder joint mobility. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Introduction: The purpose of this study was to compare the influence of complete wetsuit and tri-function on the swimming speed and arm stroke characteristics in crawl by triathletes. Synthesis: Seven triathletes have executed three randomised trials of 400 m front crawl at maximal intensity: without wetsuit, complete wetsuit and tri-function. Conclusion: Results pointed out that the complete suit allows a significant improvement of the performance and of the distance per cycle by report the swimming with a tri-function. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]