Does Cold-Water Endurance Swimming Affect Pulmonary Function in Healthy Adults?
The acute effects of cold-water endurance swimming on the respiratory system have received little attention. We investigated pulmonary responses to cold-water endurance swimming in healthy recreational triathletes. Pulmonary function, alveolar diffusing capacity (<i>D</i>L<sub>CO&l...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Book |
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MDPI AG,
2021-01-01T00:00:00Z.
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| Summary: | The acute effects of cold-water endurance swimming on the respiratory system have received little attention. We investigated pulmonary responses to cold-water endurance swimming in healthy recreational triathletes. Pulmonary function, alveolar diffusing capacity (<i>D</i>L<sub>CO</sub>), fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FE<sub>NO</sub>) and arterial oxygen saturation by pulse oximetry (SpO<sub>2</sub>) were assessed in 19 healthy adults one hour before and 2.5 h after a cold-water (mean ± SD, 10 ± 0.9 °C) swim trial (62 ± 27 min). In addition, 12 out of the 19 participants measured pulmonary function, forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV<sub>1</sub>) 3, 10, 20 and 45 min post-swim by maximal expiratory flow volume loops and <i>D</i>L<sub>CO</sub> by the single breath technique. FVC and FEV<sub>1</sub> were significantly reduced 3 min post-swim (<i>p</i> = 0.02) (<i>p</i> = 0.04), respectively, and five of 12 participants (42%) experienced exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB), defined as a ≥ 10% drop in FEV<sub>1</sub>. No significant changes were observed in pulmonary function 2.5 h post-swim. However, mean FE<sub>NO</sub> and <i>D</i>L<sub>CO</sub> were significantly reduced by 7.1% and 8.1% (<i>p</i> = 0.01) and (<i>p</i> < 0.001), respectively, 2.5 h post-swim, accompanied by a 2.5% drop (<i>p</i> < 0.001) in SpO<sub>2</sub>. The absolute change in <i>D</i>L<sub>CO</sub> correlated significantly with the absolute decline in core temperature (<i>r</i> = 0.52; <i>p</i> = 0.02). <b>Conclusion:</b> Cold-water endurance swimming may affect the lungs in healthy recreational triathletes lasting up to 2.5 h post-swim. Some individuals appear to be more susceptible to pulmonary impairments than others, although these mechanisms need to be studied further. |
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| Item Description: | 10.3390/sports9010007 2075-4663 |