There are many parts of Olympic sports that are nothing short of absolutely mystifying to us mere humans, who struggle to even go on a 10-minute jog once in a while.
You may have noticed that after each dive, the divers exit the pool and quickly begin using the showers.
While most of us would prefer to be greeted by a warm towel after getting out of the pool (and maybe a hot drink) divers always make sure to rinse off in some hot water first.
It turns out the rationale behind this practise is all down to the diver’s muscles, which need to be in great condition for every step of the competition.
Contents
Why Divers Shower After Each Dive
In Brehmer’s view, it all boils down to one key factor. “Divers shower in between dives often only to keep themselves and their muscles warm,” he says.
As a rule, they use water that is even hotter than the pool to finish getting clean. FINA, the organisation in charge of regulating international water sports competitions.
Mandates that indoor diving pools like the one at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre keep their water at a minimum of 26 degrees Celsius (78.8 degrees Fahrenheit) at all times.
In most cases, “a diver will have to wait a substantial length of time following a dive before doing another dive,” as Brehmer puts it.
“It’s possible that the air temperature on the pool deck is on the cool side, so a quick shower before jumping in might go a long way toward keeping muscles toasty.
Diving being such a precise and fast-twitch sport, if the diver gets a bit cold and tight, it might significantly damage their performance.”
Why Do Divers Use Tape?
You may have noticed that the tape that divers (and other competitors) wore at the Olympics was different from what you’d get in your local dollar store.
Kinesio tape is elastic and useful for relieving discomfort in athletes. The tape improves the body’s ability to circulate fluid, which decreases swelling and eases the discomfort in the muscles and joints.
Footballers and rugby players alike have embraced this technique, which was created by Japanese chiropractor Dr. Kenso Kase in the 1970s.
Conclusion
The shower is designed to reduce the likelihood of an injury occurring during the competition.
The chilly water of the pool can create muscle tension and cramping, but a quick rinse in the shower between swims helps maintain muscles relaxed.
The divers use the hot tub for identical reasons. The contestants benefit from staying in the hot tub in between dives to relax their muscles in preparation for their next time on the board. Thanks for read our Article Why do Olympic Divers Shower After Each Dive.
