Swimming-related effects on cerebrovascular and cognitive function

Both acute and regular exercise influence vascular and cognitive function. Upright aquatic exercise increases mean middle cerebral artery blood velocity (MCAv_mean ) and has been suggested as favorable for cerebrovascular adaptations. However, MCAv_mean has not been reported during swimming. Thus, we examined the cerebrovascular and cognitive effects of swimming. Ten land-based athletes (22 ± 5 years) and eight swimmers (19 ± 1 years) completed three cognitive tasks and four conditions that were used to independently and collectively delineate the swimming-related factors (i.e., posture, immersion, CO₂ retention [end-tidal CO₂ ; PETCO₂ ], and motor involvement). Measurements of MCAv_mean and PETCO₂ were taken throughout each condition. Prone posture increased MCAv_mean by 11% (P < 0.01 vs. upright land). Water immersion independently increased MCAv_mean when upright (12%; P < 0.01) but not prone (P = 0.76). The consequent rise in PETCO₂ during head-out, breast-stroke swimming (50% heart rate range) independently increased MCAv_mean by 14% (P < 0.01), while the motor involvement of swimming per se did not significantly change MCAv_mean (P = 0.32). While accounting for sex, swimmers had ~17% lower MCAv_mean during all rest conditions (P ≤ 0.05). However, in a subset of participants, both groups had similar internal carotid artery diameters (P = 0.99) and velocities (P = 0.97). Water immersion per se did not alter cognition (P ≥ 0.15), but 20 min of moderate-intensity swimming improved visuomotor performance by 4% (P = 0.03), regardless of athlete group (P = 0.12). In conclusion, breast-stroke swimming increased MCAv_mean mostly due to postural and PETCO₂ effects, with minimal contributions from water immersion or motor activity. Lastly, swimming improved cognitive functioning acutely, regardless of athlete group. Future research should explore the chronic effects of swimming on cerebrovascular function and cognition, particularly in aging.