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Why Do Swimmers Shave Their Armpits

Competitive swimmers are known to shave their entire body.

Why do swimmers shave their armpits. The practice of shaving became popular back in the 1950s when two male swimmers showed up for the olympics after shaving their bodies not just their armpits. There actually is good reason for it. This is only partially true. Other reasons are practical or have to do with pure aesthetics.

They shaved because they believed it reduced drag. Studies show that removal of body hair has a direct impact on performance a substantial one at that. Sweat mingles with bacteria on your skin to cause odor. Its odorless until it conspires with bacteria to produce the dreaded bo.

Thats what happens in the armpits when the apocrine glands release their milky substance. Some of the reasons are hygienic. A study conducted by the american college of sports medicine compared freshly shaven swimmers with a control group in the pool. The arms cover a large surface area of the body and are therefore an important area to shave as it will help to lower drag and increase the swimmers feel for the water.

Some female swimmers might trim down that area as womens swim suits are cut differently than mens and they might want to avoid a few embarrassing hairs sticking out but this is by no means a. One of the benefits of shaving your armpits is that you rid it of hair that provides a base for your apocrine glands. However a popular myth that needs to be dispelled is that swimmers shave to rid their body of excess hairs. Both won gold medals.

Since then many studies have been conducted including one by nasa. Some of the most manly men in our society shave their armpits for different reasons.