Abstract
BackgroundThis case report describes an experienced open-water ultra-endurance athlete swimming in water of 9.9°C for 6 h and 2 min.MethodsBefore the swim, anthropometric characteristics such as body mass, body height, skinfold thicknesses, and body fat were determined. During and after the swim, body core (rectum) and body surface (forearm and calf) temperatures were continuously recorded.ResultsThe swimmer (53 years old, 110.5 kg body mass, 1.76 m body height, 34.9% body fat, and a body mass index of 35.7 kg/m2) achieved a total distance of 15 km while swimming at a mean speed of 2.48 km/h, equal to 0.69 m/s, in water of 9.9°C. Body core temperature was at 37.8°C before the swim, increased to a maximum of 38.1°C after approximately 20 min of swimming, and then decreased continuously to 36.3°C upon finishing the swim. The lowest body core temperature was 36.0°C between 35 and 60 min after finishing the swim. Sixty minutes after the swim, the body core temperature continuously rose to 36.5°C where it remained. At the forearm, the temperature dropped to 19.6°C after approximately 36 min of swimming and decreased to 19.4°C by the end of the swim. The lowest temperature at the forearm was 17.6°C measured at approximately 47 min before the athlete stopped swimming. At the calf, the temperature dropped to 13.0°C after approximately 24 min of swimming and decreased to 11.9°C at the end of the swim. The lowest temperature measured at the calf was 11.1°C approximately 108 min after the start. In both the forearm and the calf, the skin temperature continuously increased after the swim.ConclusionsThis case report shows that (1) it is possible to swim for 6 h in water of 9.9°C and that (2) the athlete did not suffer from hypothermia under these circumstances. The high body mass index, high body fat, previous experience, and specific preparation of the swimmer are the most probable explanations for these findings.
Highlights
This case report describes an experienced open-water ultra-endurance athlete swimming in water of 9.9°C for 6 h and 2 min
In 1955, Pugh and Edholm reported from a swimming race across the English Channel where 18 of 20 participants completed the distance between France and England within 12 to 20 h in water of 15.5°C [10]
We report the case of an open-water ultra-swimmer who was able to achieve a swim distance of 15 km within 6 h and 2 min while swimming at a speed of 2.48 km/h in water of 9.9°C
Summary
This case report describes an experienced open-water ultra-endurance athlete swimming in water of 9.9°C for 6 h and 2 min. Athletes try to swim as fast as possible [1] or to achieve as many kilometers as possible in ultra-swimming [2] Another challenge for open-water swimmers is to swim as long as possible in cold water [3,4,5,6,7,8,9]. In 1955, Pugh and Edholm reported from a swimming race across the English Channel where 18 of 20 participants completed the distance between France and England within 12 to 20 h in water of 15.5°C [10]. The internal temperature gradient cannot be maintained, and the rectal temperature falls at a rate which becomes increasingly faster, the lower the water temperature [10,11]
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