Does Cold-Water Endurance Swimming Affect Pulmonary Function in Healthy Adults?

Area of Science:

• Exercise Physiology
• Respiratory Medicine
• Environmental Physiology

Background:

• Limited research exists on the acute respiratory effects of cold-water endurance swimming.
• Recreational triathletes often participate in cold-water swimming events, necessitating an understanding of potential pulmonary impacts.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the acute pulmonary responses to cold-water endurance swimming in healthy recreational triathletes.
• To assess changes in pulmonary function, diffusing capacity, nitric oxide levels, and oxygen saturation post-cold water swim.

Main Methods:

• Pulmonary function tests, including forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), were measured.
• Alveolar diffusing capacity (DLCO), fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), and arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2) were assessed before and after a cold-water swim (10°C).
• Measurements were taken at various time points, including immediately post-swim and up to 2.5 hours later.

Main Results:

• A significant reduction in FVC and FEV1 was observed 3 minutes post-swim, with 42% of participants experiencing exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB).
• Mean FeNO and DLCO were significantly reduced by 7.1% and 8.1% respectively, 2.5 hours post-swim.
• Arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2) decreased by 2.5% post-swim, and the decline in DLCO correlated with core body temperature reduction.

Conclusions:

• Cold-water endurance swimming can induce acute pulmonary impairments in healthy recreational triathletes, persisting for up to 2.5 hours.
• Individual susceptibility to pulmonary effects varies, indicating a need for further investigation into underlying mechanisms.
• Findings highlight potential respiratory risks associated with cold-water swimming events.