Comparison of Wet Suits Materials in Recreational Surfers

April Doss, Adriana Franco, Lam-Thuy Huynh, Graciela Juarez, Adam Pangelinan, GiVahna Penserga, Maya Saulino,
Stephanie Saavedra, David Sichmeller, Brennan Siebenforcher
Department of Kinesiology, California State University, San Marcos, CA, 92096
Abstract Characteristic Results
Background: There are approximately 35 million surfers around the world, many of which surf in environments

Method Figures
that require a wetsuit (Pointing & O'Brien, 2014). One of the most used materials for wetsuits is neoprene foam Male Female Total
because of its strength and stretch recovery. Specially designed wetsuits consisting of a slick neoprene and jersey
neoprene material were used to test thermoregulation on the upper region of the body. Wetsuits trap warm air inside
the rubber foam cells of the wetsuit material which insulate against cold water temperatures. Purpose: This study is Sex (# of subjects) 20 7 27
comparing the jersey neoprene material with the slick neoprene material to distinguish if there are any differences
in thermoregulation. We hypothesized that the slick neoprene of the wetsuit will have a higher skin temperature
. Thermistor Location on Body Material Age (years) 29.6 ± 2.4 30.1 ± 3.4 29.7 ± 1.9
than the jersey neoprene material.Methods: Twenty-seven recreational surfers, (20) male and (7) female between
the ages of 18-50 were recruited and agreed to participate in the study. Data was collected from surfers at local Number Type
North County beaches. Participants were instrumented with four iButton thermistors with Tegaderm patches [(1)
Height (cm) 179.8 ± 1.4 164.7 ± 2.0 176.06 ± 1.7
right upper chest, (2) left upper chest, (3) left scapula, and (4) right scapula], a Polar RCX5 heart rate monitor on Therm 1 Right Chest Jersey
the sternum, and a custom 2mm full wetsuit with the upper torso having the left side being compromised of a slick Body Weight (kg) 79.1 ± 1.9 58.3 ± 2.6 73.9 ± 2.3
neoprene and the right side of jersey neoprene. Skin temperature and heart rate measurements were sampled at one
minute intervals. Environmental conditions were obtained for each session from Surfline. Results: The significant Therm 2 Left Chest Slick BMI (kg/m^2) 24.4 ± 0.4 20.7 ± 0.5 23.5 ± 0.5
differences (p<0.05) in skin temperature were found across the body (right upper chest and left upper chest : p-
value of .0017; right scapula and left scapula:p-value of .007) while wearing a custom slick neoprene and jersey
neoprene wetsuit during recreational surfing. Conclusion: Therefore the results support our hypothesis that the left Therm 3 Left Scapula Slick Years Surfed 12.8 ± 2.7 10 ± 2.3 12.1 ± 2.0
side of the wetsuit with the slick neoprene had maintained higher skin temperature when compared to right jersey
neoprene side. This information could help future wetsuit designs to become thinner so that surfers are provided
Therm 4 Right Scapula Jersey Competency (1-10) 6.4 ± 0.4 6 ± 0.4 6.3 ± 0.3
more mobility and enhanced performance.
Board Length (cm) 199.9 ± 9.7 195.2 ± 18.6 198.7 ± 8.3

Table 2. Summary of subject characteristics expressed in mean ± SE.

Background Figure 1. Placement of the thermistors on body. Figure 2. Placement of the thermistors on body.
• Surfing is a recreational sport that consists of paddling, resting, wave riding, and breath holding (Abbiss,

Environmental Results Conclusions

Farley, Sheppard, 2017).
• There are approximately 35 million surfers throughout the world riding waves in a multitude of
environments, many of which require a wetsuit (Ponting & O'Brien, 2014).
• The thickness and bulk density of neoprene material is seen to have an influence on thermal properties
(Collins, Naebe, Robins, Wang, 2013). Water Temperature Air Temperature Winds speeds Wind direction Wave Size Wave direction • There was a significant differences in wetsuit material, front and back, comparing slick
• Although most wetsuits cover the whole body, skin temperature has been found to differ across regions of neoprene and jersey neoprene (Figure 3).
(℃) (℃) (kts) (°) (ft.) (°)
the body (Luis J. Corona, Grant H. Simmons, Jeff A. Nessler & Sean C. Newcomer, 2018). • The significant differences (p<0.05) in skin temperature were found across the body (right
• There is limited research comparing different neoprene materials. 65.2 ± 0.2 67.1 ± 0.76 3.7 ± 0.4 110.4 ± 17 2.4 ± 0.2 208.5 ± 4.9 upper chest and left upper chest : p-value of .0017; right scapula and left scapula:p-value of
.007) while wearing a custom slick neoprene and jersey neoprene wetsuit during recreational
Purpose Table 1. Summary of Environmental conditions expressed in mean ± SE. surfing.
• These data demonstrates a difference in skin temperature within the slick and jersey material,
The purpose of this study was to compare two different types of wetsuit materials on a 2mm custom made wetsuit Overall Results which may have a significant implications for wetsuit design within the surf industry.
to simultaneously compare thermoregulation with slick versus jersey neoprene materials in recreational surfers. It
was hypothesized that the left “slick neoprene” side will maintain higher skin temperatures when compared to the
right “jersey neoprene” side. References
Methods *
Subjects: 1. Farley, O. R., Abbiss, C. R., & Sheppard, J. M. (2017, January). Performance Analysis of Surfing: A Review : The
● Twenty-seven recreational surfers, (20) males and (7) females, between the ages of 18-50, were recruited from North Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research.
San Diego beaches.
● In order to participate, the criteria included having at least one year of recreational surfing experience. * 2. Luis J. Corona, Grant H. Simmons, Jeff A. Nessler & Sean C. Newcomer (2018) Characterisation of regional skin
temperatures in recreational surfers wearing a 2-mm wetsuit, Ergonomics, 61:5, 729-735, DOI:
● Subjects completed an informed consent and demographic questionnaire prior to their participation in the study. 10.1080/00140139.2017.1387291
Protocol:
● Participants were instrumented with four iButtons thermistors with the Tegaderm patches [(1) right upper chest, (2)
3. Naebe, M., Robins, N., Wang, X., & Collins, P. (2013). Assessment of performance properties of wetsuits.
left upper chest, (3) left scapula, and (4) right scapula] , a heart rate monitor, and a custom Hurley 2mm full wetsuit
Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part P: Journal of Sports Engineering and Technology,
227(4), 255–264.
with the upper torso having the left side being made with a slick material and the right side the neoprene.
● Participants were then instructed to engage in recreational surfing activities for as long as they wanted, with a 4. O'Brien, Danny & Ponting, Jess. (2013). Sustainable Surf Tourism: A Community Centered Approach in Papua
minimum of thirty minutes in the water. New Guinea. Journal of Sport Management. 27. 158-172. 10.1123/jsm.27.2.158.
● Surf duration was recorded for each surf session.
● Following the surf session, thermistors and heart rate monitor were removed from the participants and data was
retrieved.
Measurements:
Acknowledgements
● Four iButtons thermal sensors [right upper chest, left upper chest, left scapula, right scapula) and a Polar RCX5 heart
rate monitor on the sternum was sampled at one minute intervals. Figure 3. Averages of body temperature between the four Figure 4. Averages of Body Temperature between the
● Skin temperature were recorded in Celsius. thermistors.There is a significance difference between four thermistors. We would like to acknowledge the students of the California State University, San Marcos Kinesiology
● Environmental conditions were obtained for each session from Surfline. Therm 1 (Jersey front) and Therm 2 (Slick Front) with a p- 326 class for their help in data collection and the surfers who participated in our research study.
Data Analysis:
• A paired t-test was generated to compare the body temperature of the thermistors.
value of .0017. There is a significance difference between
• Statistical Significance was set at p< 0.05. All data is presented as mean ± SE. Therm 3 (Slick Back) and Therm 4 (Jersey Back) with a p-
value of .0007.