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Cardiovascular regulation during head-out water immersion exercise
J L Christie1, L M Sheldahl, F E Tristani
1Department of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee 53226.
Journal of Applied Physiology (Bethesda, Md. : 1985)
|August 1, 1990
Summary
Head-out water immersion significantly increases cardiac filling pressure and volume during dynamic exercise compared to exercising on land. These findings suggest enhanced cardiac preload during aquatic exercise.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Physiology
- Exercise Science
- Hydrotherapy Research
Background:
- Head-out water immersion elevates cardiac filling pressure and volume in resting humans.
- Understanding the cardiovascular response to aquatic exercise is crucial for optimizing training and rehabilitation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if the increased cardiac filling pressure and volume observed at rest during water immersion persist during dynamic exercise.
- To compare cardiovascular responses during upright cycling exercise on land versus in water.
Main Methods:
- Ten healthy men performed upright cycling exercise at varying intensities (40-100% VO2max) on land and in water.
- Hemodynamic parameters including right atrial pressure (RAP), pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP), and cardiac index (CI) were measured using a Swan-Ganz catheter.
- Left ventricular volumes (LVEDV, LVESV) were assessed via echocardiography.
Main Results:
- Maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) was comparable between land and water exercise conditions.
- Right atrial pressure, pulmonary arterial pressure, cardiac index, and left ventricular volumes were significantly higher during exercise in water compared to land.
- Stroke index increased with exercise intensity on land but remained stable in water.
- Heart rate was lower in water only at the highest exercise intensities.
Conclusions:
- Indexes of cardiac preload are elevated during dynamic exercise in head-out water immersion compared to land-based exercise.
- Water immersion enhances cardiac filling and output during exercise, potentially offering benefits for cardiovascular conditioning.