Effect of head-out water immersion on cardiorespiratory response to dynamic exercise

• Published in: Journal of the American College of Cardiology 1987-12, Vol.10 (6), p.1254-1258
• Main Authors: Sheldahl, Lois M., Tristani, Felix E., Clifford, Philip S., Hughes, C. Vincent, Sobocinski, Kathleen A., Morris, Robert D.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Applied physiology; Biological and medical sciences; Blood Pressure; Cardiac Output; Heart Rate; Hemodynamics; Human physiology applied to population studies and life conditions. Human ecophysiology; Humans; Immersion - physiopathology; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Oxygen Consumption; Physical Exertion; Respiration; Space life sciences; Tidal Volume
• ISSN: 0735-1097; 1558-3597
• DOI: 10.1016/S0735-1097(87)80127-4

Head-out water immersion is known to produce several cardiopulmonary adjustments at rest due to a cephalad shift in blood volume. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of head-out water immersion on the cardiorespiratory response to graded dynamic exercise. Nineteen healthy middle-aged men performed upright cycling exercise at 40, 60 and 80% of maximal oxygen consumption on land and in water (31.0 ± 1.0°C) to the shoulders. Cardiac output (measured by the carbon dioxide rebreathing technique) was significantly greater in water at 40 and 80% maximal oxygen consumption. Stroke volume was significantly elevated at all stages of exercise. Heart rate did not differ significantly at 40 and 60% maximal oxygen consumption but was significantly lower in water at 80% maximal oxygen consumption. Total ventilation did not differ significantly in water and on land at any stage of exercise. The results suggest that the central redistribution of blood volume with head-out water immersion leads to an increase in stroke volume. Because there is not a proportional decrease in heart rate with the elevated stroke volume, cardiac output is regulated at a higher level during upright exercise in water compared with that on land.