So, why do divers shower after each dive? One of the unusual sights during the Olympic Games is that divers shower after every dive and then relax in a hot tub after each dive. This is a strange tradition at the Olympic Games. This is well known to someone who has competed in swimming and knows the significance of proper warm-ups and cool-downs.
We’ve discovered that showers and hot tubs serve the same purpose on the pool deck; yet, Olympic divers need both types of facilities. First, let’s examine why divers need to shower in between dives.
Let’s learn this by reading this article!
Why Do Divers Shower After Each Dive?
Olympic divers shower after each dive to reduce the likelihood that they may get an injury while competing.
This primarily aims to keep their muscles loose and at the appropriate temperature while also helping to relax them. This is because the water in the diving pool is very cold, which may cause injury to the diver’s muscles and negatively impact performance.
Taking a shower helps maintain muscle fluid between dives, making them less likely to cramp up or stiffen when the diver enters the pool or in the middle of a rotation.
Why Do Divers Go in Hot Tub After Each Dive?
The divers may do something analogous with the help of the hot tub.
Participating in a hot tub session in between dives helps the participant maintain their muscles supple and relaxed in preparation for their next time on the board.
Aside from this, arenas are often air-conditioned, which is another factor that may cause divers’ muscles to get stiff and cramp up. The hot tub assists in preventing this and safeguards their performance.
We can see a great number of divers inside the shower walls located on the pool deck. These walls are particularly beneficial for athletes who need to stretch or only have a few minutes between dives.
These “cool-down” tactics are relied on by Olympic divers in the same way that Olympic swimmers use parkas to keep muscles warm.
If you are a diver, raising your core temperature by spending too much time in a hot shower might cause it to reach levels that are not optimal for your diving performance.
Taking a shower in cold water might fast cause certain muscles to become rigid, making it momentarily more difficult for you to utilize those muscles properly.
When a diver enters a hydromassage tub or jacuzzi, not only does this help them maintain an appropriate body temperature, it assists in the relaxation of their muscles, keeps them supple, and ensures that they are ready for the next dive in the competition.
Why Do Divers Wear Tape?
It is not normal tape that you may have seen divers and other competitors at the Olympics using.
Kinesio tape is a kind of athletic tape that is both flexible and effective in assisting athletes in managing their discomfort.
The tape makes it easier for fluid to circulate through the body, which in turn reduces swelling and helps alleviate discomfort in the muscles and joints.
In the 1970s, a Japanese chiropractor named Dr. Kenso Kase invented it, and it has since gained popularity among rugby players and footballers.
Why is Water Sprayed onto the Pool?
The pool’s surface is sprayed with water so the divers can see properly.
They can only view the pool floor from where they are standing because the diving board is ten meters above them.
Divers can more correctly assess the distance between themselves and the water because of the ripples produced by the spray, which also helps them ensure they enter the water at a safe angle.
If a diver enters the water at an awkward angle and moves at around 35 miles per hour when they reach the surface, they risk suffering significant injuries.
Additional safety measures include setting minimum and maximum pool depths to ensure adequate water pressure, and using a device known as a “bubbler” to pump compressed air bubbles up from the pool bottom. These bubbles serve to cushion the impact that divers have on the water.
According to FINA, the governing body responsible for setting the rules for international water sports competitions like Tokyo Olympics, Authorities must maintain the water temperature in indoor diving pools like the one at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre at a minimum of 26 degrees Celsius at all times.
“After a diver completes a dive, they are often required to wait a considerable time before going on their subsequent dive.”
Final Words
So this article was all on why divers shower after every dive. We hope this article answers all your doubts.
