Arm insulation and swimming in cold water

• Published in: European journal of applied physiology 2008-09, Vol.104 (2), p.159-174
• Main Authors: Lounsbury, David S., DuCharme, Michel B.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Anaerobic Threshold - physiology; Anthropometry; Arm - blood supply; Arm - physiology; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biomedicine; Body Composition - physiology; Body fat; Body Height - physiology; Body Temperature - physiology; Body Temperature Regulation - physiology; Body Weight - physiology; Cardiovascular Physiological Phenomena; Cold Temperature; Cooling; Fatalities; Female; Fitness equipment; Heat; Human Physiology; Humans; Hypothermia; Immersion - physiopathology; Male; Maximum oxygen consumption; Middle Aged; Muscle function; Muscle Strength - physiology; Occupational Medicine/Industrial Medicine; Original Article; Protective Clothing; Psychomotor Performance - physiology; Regression Analysis; Skin Temperature - physiology; Sports Medicine; Survival Analysis; Swimming; Swimming - physiology; Temperature
• ISSN: 1439-6319; 1439-6327
• DOI: 10.1007/s00421-008-0690-1

To test whether adding insulation to the arms would improve cold water swimming performance by delaying swimming failure (SF). Novice ( n  = 7) and expert ( n  = 8) swimmers, clothed and equipped with a personal flotation device, each performed two trials in a swimming flume filled with 10°C water. During free swimming (FS), subjects performed swimming until failure, followed by the Heat Escape Lessening Posture. In free swimming with additional insulation (FSA), subjects wore custom-fitted armbands. Trials ended when rectal temperature decreased to 34°C or after 2 h of immersion. Measurements included: rectal and skin temperatures, heat flow, and various appraisals of swimming performance. FSA was thermally advantageous versus FS. Rectal temperature cooling rates during swimming (d T /d t Swim) were faster for FS compared to FSA (0.050 ± 0.007°C min −1 vs. 0.042 ± 0.006°C min −1 , P