It may be slightly more hydrodynamic but takes more energy to hold the arms there.
If you are hyper-flexible and use virtualy no energy to hold you arms there, then it is probably slightly better than hands by sides. If you are not hyper-flexible (like most of us) then it is less efficient.
Another issue is that some people don't like to have their descent too fast as it reduces the time for blood shift to occur.
Ben
If you are hyper-flexible and use virtualy no energy to hold you arms there, then it is probably slightly better than hands by sides. If you are not hyper-flexible (like most of us) then it is less efficient.
Another issue is that some people don't like to have their descent too fast as it reduces the time for blood shift to occur.
Ben