Two different methods of measuring the passive resistance of swimmers are used to compare system accuracy and repeatability. Method I uses a submerged glide tow, and Method II, a novel, simpler approach, is based on measuring deceleration during a submerged push-off glide. The comparison of each method is made for specific changes in passive resistance. A set of three male and three female swimmers compare the use of drag shorts to make swimmer-specific increases in drag. In a second study, the effect of hair removal is quantified on a single male swimmer (Method I 9.7% reduction and Method II 9.4% reduction). For five repeat tests, a 1.8% difference in resistance can be resolved with 95% and 70% confidence levels for the passive tow and push-off glide experiments, respectively.
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