Polycarbonate training device helps swimmers win gold

An oddly shaped polycarbonate swimming training device designed in Australia has helped a swimmer win gold at this year's Commonwealth Games.

The injection-molded polycarbonate device, called the Corsuit, consists of nylon straps and acetal thermoplastic buckles. Wrapped around the body like a leash, it conforms to the contours of the spine and supports the swimmer's core and swimming style.

Para swimmer Rowan Crothers, who suffers from cerebral palsy, started training with the Corsuit last year and won gold in the men's 100m freestyle S9 final at the Commonwealth Games on July 24. An international multi-sport event held by athletes.

Fellow Australian swimmer Christian Sprenger, who also trained in the Corsuit, won a bronze medal in the men's 50m breaststroke.

Sam James, an industrial design graduate at Queensland University of Technology (QUT) in Brisbane, Australia, designed the Corsuit as part of a university assignment aimed at improving swimmers' speed and strength.

After professional swimming banned full-length leotards in 2010, James researched how swimsuits could be used to improve swimming technique.

He invented the Corsuit to train swimmers, replicating in a natural way the advantages that full length tights gave them in the past.

James said: "Swimming is very unnatural, so the idea is to make it more natural. Most people, without constant reminders, tend to slide backwards unconsciously."

Innovation transfer company QUTbluebox Pty. Ltd. provided funding for the development of the Corsuit, which cost A$100,000 (US$92,524) over three years.

James has also been sponsored by two classmates who are now co-directors of Bluecore Pty. Ltd. in Brisbane, Australia, a company founded by James last year to sell the product.

They have sold about 700 Corsuits to 22 countries through Bluecore's website and dealer direct sales. They cost AU$54.50 ($50.40) each.

Other professional swimmers who have trained with Corsuits include American breaststroker Jessica Hardy, Dutch swimmer Joeri Verlinden and Bermuda's Roy-Allan Burch.

The product is currently under patent application in Australia and will be reviewed early next year.

James is also developing a children's version of the Corsuit, which will be made of softer, thinner polycarbonate and covered with ethylene-vinyl acetate.

James hopes to market the product in the US and will be doing so at a swimming coaching conference in September.