The Impact of Wetsuit Use on Swimming Performance, Physiology and Biomechanics: A Systematic Review

This systematic review aims to summarize the effects of wearing different types wetsuits and swimsuits in front crawl swimming performance physiological- biomechanical-related variables. The Web Science, PubMed, Scopus Proceedings International Symposium on Biomechanics Medicine Swimming databases were searched from inception 25th March 2022. From 1398 studies initially found, 26 included review. quality assessment inter-rater reliability between researchers conducted. full body was most studied wetsuit, with its use allowing 3.2–12.9% velocity increments distances ranging 25 1500 m, incremental tests, 5 30 min continuous open water events. sleeveless long vs. full-body wetsuit led a 400–800 m enhancement. Higher stroke rate, length index observed while using three covered part regular swimsuit, lower energy cost being when compared swimsuit. These findings provide useful information for coaches, swimmers triathletes about long/short use, since these allow improving diverse aquatic environments.