Effects of head-out water immersion on cardiorespiratory responses to maximal cycling exercise

Our objectives were to determine effects of head-out immersion (HOI), scuba breathing, and water temperature on cardiorespiratory responses to maximal aerobic work. Measurements of VO2, VE, and heart rate (HR) were obtained on seven men (27 yr, 177 cm, 67 kg) as they performed the same upright bicycling exercise to exhaustion (4-5 min) in 23 degrees C air and 30 degrees C water. Maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 max) during HOI was 3.18 liters - min-1, which was not statistically different from the mean of 3.29 liters- min-1 in air. When compressed air was breathed via scuba during HOI, VO2 max was 3.12 liters- min-1 and not significantly different from that when room air was breathed and a low-resistance valve in water was used. HOI decreased VE by 15.7 liters - min-1 and HR by 10 beats (b) - min-1. Scuba breathing further reduced VE by 22.0 liters - min-1. Similar measurements were made on four of the subjects after 18 min of HOI in water temperatures of 35,30, and 25 degrees C. Water temperature had no significant affect on VO2 max, although HR was 8 b- min-1 lower in 30 degrees C and 15 b - min-1 lower in 25 degrees C as compared to 35 degrees C water. The results show that VO2 max was not significantly changed by HOI, scuba breathing, or brief exposures to 25, 30, and 35 degrees C water, despite significant reductions that occurred for VE and HR.