Swim performance and thermoregulatory effects of wearing clothing in a simulated cold-water survival situation

Bowes, Heather, Eglin, Clare, Tipton, Michael and Barwood, Martin (2016) Swim performance and thermoregulatory effects of wearing clothing in a simulated cold-water survival situation. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 116 (4). pp. 759-767. ISSN 1439-6319

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00421-015-3306-6

Abstract

Purpose:
Accidental cold-water immersion (CWI) impairs swim performance, increases drowning risk and often occurs whilst clothed. The impact of clothing on thermoregulation and swim performance during CWI was explored with the view of making recommendations on whether swimming is viable for self-rescue; contrary to the traditional recommendations.

Method:
Ten unhabituated males (age 24 (4) years; height 1.80 (0.08) m; mass 78.50 (10.93) kg; body composition 14.8 (3.4) fat %) completed four separate CWIs in 12 °C water. They either rested clothed or naked (i.e. wearing a bathing costume) or swum self-paced clothed or naked for up to 1 h. Swim speed, distance covered, oxygen consumption and thermal responses (rectal temperature (Tre), mean skin temperature (Tmsk) and mean body temperature Tb) were measured.

Results:
When clothed, participants swum at a slower pace and for a significantly shorter distance (815 (482) m, 39 (19) min) compared to when naked (1264 (564) m, 52 (18) min), but had a similar oxygen consumption indicating clothing made them less efficient. Swimming accelerated the rate of Tmsk and Tb cooling and wearing clothing partially attenuated this drop. The impairment to swimming performance caused by clothing was greater than the thermal benefit it provided; participants withdrew due to exhaustion before hypothermia developed.

Conclusion:
Swimming is a viable self-rescue method in 12 °C water, however, clothing impairs swimming capability. Self-rescue swimming could be considered before clinical hypothermia sets in for the majority of individuals. These suggestions must be tested for the wider population.

Item Type: Article
Additional Information: No funder acknowledgements PB 10-2-16
Uncontrolled Keywords: Body composition; Cold water; Hypothermia; Insulation; Swim failure; Thermoregulation
Subjects: C600 Sports Science
Department: Faculties > Health and Life Sciences > Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation
Depositing User: Paul Burns
Date Deposited: 10 Feb 2016 11:23
Last Modified: 01 Aug 2021 05:32
URI: http://nrl.northumbria.ac.uk/id/eprint/25944

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