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Arm insulation and swimming in cold water
David S Lounsbury1, Michel B Ducharme
1Exercise Sciences Department, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada, M5S 1A1.
European Journal of Applied Physiology
|March 1, 2008
Summary
Adding arm insulation to cold water swimmers slightly improved thermal regulation and technique preservation, but did not significantly enhance overall swimming performance or delay swimming failure.
Area of Science:
- Sports Science
- Environmental Physiology
- Human Performance
Background:
- Cold water immersion poses significant physiological challenges, impacting thermoregulation and performance.
- Swimming failure (SF) in cold water is a critical endpoint in survival scenarios.
- Understanding factors that influence cold water swimming performance is essential for safety and endurance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of arm insulation on cold water swimming performance and physiological responses.
- To determine if neoprene armbands can delay swimming failure (SF) in a cold water environment.
- To assess the impact of arm insulation on thermoregulation and swimming technique.
Main Methods:
- Novice and expert swimmers completed two trials in 10°C water: free swimming (FS) and free swimming with additional insulation (FSA) using armbands.
- Trials continued until rectal temperature reached 34°C or after 2 hours, measuring temperatures, heat flow, and performance metrics.
- Swimming failure (SF) was defined by cessation of swimming, and technique was analyzed via video.
Main Results:
- Armbands significantly improved thermal advantage, maintaining arm skin temperature ~10°C warmer for ~70 min.
- Rectal temperature cooling rates were slower with armbands (0.042°C/min) compared to FS (0.050°C/min).
- Swimming technique was better preserved (10-15%) in FSA, though overall physical performance improvements were not substantial.
Conclusions:
- Neoprene armbands offer a thermal advantage in cold water swimming, partially preserving muscle function and technique.
- While insulation improved thermoregulation and technique maintenance, its effect on delaying swimming failure (SF) was limited.
- Swimming failure (SF) is multifactorial, influenced by factors including triceps skinfold and arm girth.
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