Why do swimmers shave body hair?
Show answer & explanation
Answer: Reduces drag in water
Reduces drag in water ✓ — Correct! Hydrodynamic advantage! Body hair creates turbulence and increases drag (resistance) moving through water. Shaving reduces this friction slightly—fractions of seconds matter in competition! Also psychological: smoother skin feels faster, ritualistic preparation boosts confidence. Measured improvements: ~1-2% faster in some studies. Swimmers also wear tight caps, smooth suits. Elite swimmers shave before major competitions (not daily training). Full-body shaving plus mental boost. Physics: laminar flow better than turbulent!
Improves muscle cooling — Wrong. Hair doesn't significantly affect cooling. Shaving reduces drag (water resistance)—important when hundredths of second determine victory.
Tradition for competitions — Wrong. Tradition exists, but rooted in real physics—reducing drag. Psychological/ritual benefits also significant for competition mindset.