Recreational Swimmers Research Articles

WATER IMMERSION DELAYS OXYGEN UPTAKE RESPONSE TO ARM CRANKING WHILE SEATED.

1823 The effect of central hypervolemia with water immersion on oxygen uptake(˙VO2) and heart rate (HR) responses to arm cranking was investigated. Seven male recreational swimmers performed 6-minute arm cranking exercise corresponding to 80% ventilatory threshold in air (C trial) and immersed in 30°C water (WI trial) up to the xiphoid process after six minutes of sitting. ˙VO2 and HR responses to exercise were obtained from a mono-exponential fitting. Response was evaluated by the mean response time(MRT; sum of time constant and delay). There was no significant difference in˙VO2 and HR gains between C and WI trials (˙VO2 0.78 ± 0.1 1·min-1, 0.80 ± 0.21·min-1; HR 36 ± 7 bpm, 37 ± 8 bpm, respectively). The HR MRT was not significantly different between C and WI trials (17 ± 3 s, 19 ± 8 s, respectively), while ˙VO2 MRT was slower in WI than C trial (45 ± 6 s, 40 ± 6 s, respectively; p < 0.05). Considering that there was no difference in the oxygen utilization of working muscles between the two trials, these results indicate that increased O2 store and/or altered blood redistribution response(s) delayed the ˙VO2 response to arm cranking exercise.

Social physique anxiety in competitive women athletes

Social physique anxiety (SPA) is the anxiety that people feel when their physique or body is evaluated by others. This research explored the relationships among SPA, type of sport participation, and body size in female athletes. It was hypothesized that elite women athletes would have lower levels of SPA than nonelite athletes and that lightweight women athletes would have lower levels of SPA than heavyweight athletes. In Study 1, one hundred four women rowers participating in the World Indoor Rowing Championships completed the Social Physique Anxiety Scale (SPAS; Hart et al., 1989) and a demographic questionnaire. With regard to SPA for female rowers, there were no significant differences involving elite status and weight class. In Study 2, one hundred thirteen women swimmers of various competitive levels (NCAA Division I, NCAA Division III, recreational) completed the SPAS and a demographic questionnaire. ANOVA indicated that NCAA Division I swimmers had lower SPA than recreational swimmers and that lightweight swimmers had lower SPA than heavyweight swimmers. The role of specific sport demands as they relate to SPA were discussed.

Microflora in External Auditory Canals of Recreational Scuba-Divers and Swimmers Related to the Tropical Waterflora of a Coral Island

Recent studies described the acute diffuse external otitis frequently observed in recreational scuba-divers and swimmers in the tropics. In this study the microflora of the external auditory canal of 90 persons was determined. Additionally, a group of 17 persons was examined before, during and at the end of a two weeks vacation on a tropical coral island as well as three months after. Further, samples from sea, lagoon water and the water supplies used for the showers were microbiologically examined. 14 different and fecultatively pathogenic microorganisms were isolated from the external auditory canals. We found a temporary colonization with those microorganisms during the two weeks. Above all Pseudomonas aeruginosa was predominant during and at the end of the vacation especially in children. Before the vacation and three months after P. aeruginosa could not be found. The samples of sea and lagoon waters did not seem to be noticeably polluted, whereas the samples of the water supply were extremely contaminated with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. It was concluded that besides indirect factors such as tropical climate and intensive exposition to water, the insufficient treatment of the water from the supply could also be a reason for the temporary microbiological colonization of the external auditory canal.

Validation of the 12-min swim as a field test of peak aerobic power in young men

The purposes of this study were to validate the 12-min swim as a field test of VO2max and to compare its validity with that of the 12-min run. Thirty-six young men completed 12-min swim, 12-min run, tethered swimming (TS) VO2peak, and treadmill running (TR) VO2peak tests within 3 wk. Mean (+/- SD) 12-min swim and run distances were 581 +/- 88 and 2797 +/- 290 m, and mean TS and TR VO2peak values were 50.3 +/- 6.2 and 57.2 +/- 5.5 ml.kg BW-1.min-1, respectively. Correlation coefficients and standard errors of estimate for predictions of TS VO2peak from the 12-min swim (0.40 and 5.7 ml.kg BW-1.min-1) and run (0.74 and 4.2 ml.kg BW-1.min-1) and for predictions of TR VO2peak from the 12-min swim (0.38 and 5.1 ml.kg BW-1.min-1) and run (0.88 and 2.6 ml.kg BW-1.min-1) indicated that the 12-min run was a more accurate predictor of TS or TR VO2peak than the 12-min swim. We conclude that the 12-min swim has relatively low validity as a field test of peak aerobic power and that it should not be considered an equally valid alternative to the 12-min run in young male recreational swimmers. However, the accuracy of predicting VO2peak from the 12-min swim is as good as some other commonly used methods, and, therefore, it may be adequate for fitness classification in situations in which a high level of accuracy is not needed.

A Waterborne Outbreak of Leptospirosis among United States Military Personnel in Okinawa, Japan

A waterborne outbreak of leptospirosis occurred among US military personnel during September 1987, on the island of Okinawa, Japan. Micro-agglutination titres for leptospiral antigen of greater than or equal to 200 were detected in hospitalized adult males averaging 22.5 years of age with symptoms compatible with leptospirosis. Epidemiological findings revealed two case clusters distinguished by time and place of exposure. The overall attack rates among recreational swimmers and combat skills training participants were 467/1000 (7/15) and 183/1000 (15/82), respectively. Swallowing of water differentiated individuals with laboratory-confirmed infection from those with no infection, while water immersion alone did not appear to result in leptospiral infection. Additionally, subnormal rainfall may have contributed to the risk of exposure associated with this outbreak.

Effects of temperature and water immersion on plasma catecholamines and circulation.

The effects of environmental air temperature of 6 degrees C and 26 degrees C on catecholamines (CA) and circulation were studied in eight male subjects during rest and during bicycle exercise at WOBLA for 45 min each. We found that resting at 6 degrees C increased the norepinephrine (NE) levels to the same levels as endurance exercises at 6 degrees C. The increase of CA levels was 2.5 to 3 times higher during work at 26 degrees C compared with 6 degrees C. During both rest and exercise at 6 degrees C we found a higher stroke volume of the heart and a reduced heart rate (HR) with no or only small effects on the oxygen uptake and blood lactate levels compared with 26 degrees C. Measurements of the skin temperatures showed large differences both at rest and during work; those of core temperature showed no changes at rest and a slightly more pronounced increase during work at 26 degrees C compared with 6 degrees C. The behavior of CA, plasma renin activity (PRA), plasma aldosterone (PA), and circulation were studied in 13 top class swimmers and 12 recreational swimmers during immersion into water of 27 degrees C for 10 min. The recreational swimmers were additionally immersed into water of 21 degrees C and 33 degrees C. Even immersion at 33 degrees C induced a small but significant increase of NE levels and of blood pressure (BP) values with no effect on the HR and blood lactate values. Epinephrine (EPI) showed a tendency to decrease.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Social Order in a Leisure Setting: The Case of Recreational Swimmers in a Pool

Firsthand observations of recreational swimmers in a university pool are used to show how leisure participants, informally and largely nonverbally, structure and maintain their interaction in predictable and sociable patterns. The paper builds on these observations to show the kinds of social norms, statuses, and roles that constitute basic elements of social structure in the leisure setting of a pool, and it examines how regular leisure participants in such a setting maintain their informal social order through subtle or obvious, but usually nonverbal, means of social control. Analysis of the construction and maintenance of informal social order in a pool is presented here as a spring-board for enriching our understanding of patterns and processes of informal, nonverbal social organization and social control in other settings.

Comparison of Metabollc Responses to Maximal Treadmill and Tethered Swim Tests In Middle-Aged Recreational Swimmers

Comparison of Metabollc Responses to Maximal Treadmill and Tethered Swim Tests In Middle-Aged Recreational Swimmers

PHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSES OF TRIALTHLETES TO MAXIMAL SWIMMING, CYCLING, AND RUNNING

The objectives of this study were to: (a) develop a physiological profile for a group of trained triathletes and (b) determine whether multiple modes of training result in general or specific adaptations. VO2max of 13 trained triathletes (mean = 29.5 yr) was measured during treadmill running (TR), cycle ergometry (CE), and tethered swimming (TS) over a 6-wk period encompassing a half-triathlon (1.2 mile swim/56 mile bike/13.1 mile run). Most subjects performed two tests in each mode. Since test-retest reliability coefficients for TR, CE, and TS VO2max were 0.97, 0.93, and 0.97, respectively, results were averaged: formula; see text The mean TR VO2max indicated that the subjects were well-trained, but not of elite caliber. Mean CE VO2max was 95.7% of the TR value, which is greater than the value typically found in non-cyclists (88 to 92%) but less than that of highly trained cyclists (98 to 105%). Mean TS VO2max was 86.6% of the TR value. As in cyclists, this percentage is greater than that of recreational swimmers (78 to 82%) but less than that of elite swimmers (93 to 95%). Running and cycling times in the triathlon were significantly (P less than 0.01) related to the corresponding VO2max values (r = -0.68 and r = -0.78, respectively), but swimming times were not (r = -0.50). It is concluded that these triathletes were well-trained in all events, but not to the same extent as athletes who train in only one sport. Running and cycling performance were associated with VO2max.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Specificity of arm training on aerobic power during swimming and running

GERGLEY, THOMAS J., WILLIAM D. McARDLE, PAM DeJESUS, MICHAEL M. TONER, SHELDON JACOBOWITZ, and ROBERT J. SPINA. Specificity of arm training on aerobic power during swimming and running. Med. Sci. Sports Exerc., Vol. 16, No. 4, pp. 349–354, 1984. The specificity of aerobic training for upper-body exercise requiring differing amounts of muscle mass was evaluated in 25 college-aged male recreational swimmers who were randomly assigned to either a non-training control group (N=9), a 10-wk swim(S)-training group (N=9), or a group that trained with a standard swim-bench pulley system (SB; N=7). For all subjects prior to training, tethered-swimming peak Vo2 averaged 19% below treadmill values (P<0.01), while SB-ergometry peak Vo2 was 50% and 39% below running and swimming values, respectively (P<0.01). Significant (P<0.01) increases of peak VO2 in tethered swimming (11%) and SB (21%) were observed for the SB-trained group, while the S-trained group improved (P<0.01) 18% and 19% on the tethered swimming and SB tests, respectively. No changes were observed during treadmill running, and the control subjects remained unchanged on all measures. Comparisons between training groups indicated that although both groups improved to a similar extent when measured on the swim bench, the 0.53 1.min-1 improvement in tethered-swimming peak Vo2 for the S-trained group was greater (P<0.05) than the 0.32 1.min-1 increase noted for the SB-trained group. The comparisons between SB and S exercise vs treadmill exercise support the specificity of aerobic improvement with training and suggest that local adaptations contribute significantly to improvements in peak VO2. Furthermore, the present data indicate that SB exercise activates a considerable portion of the musculature involved in swimming, and that aerobic improvements with SB training are directly transferred to swimming.

SPECIFICITY OF ARM TRAINING ON AEROBIC POWER DURING SWIMMING AND RUNNING

The specificity of aerobic training for upper-body exercise requiring differing amounts of muscle mass was evaluated in 25 college-aged male recreational swimmers who were randomly assigned to either a non-training control group (N = 9), a 10-wk swim(S)-training group (N = 9), or a group that trained with a standard swim-bench pulley system (SB; N = 7). For all subjects prior to training, tethered-swimming peak VO2 averaged 19% below treadmill values (P less than 0.01), while SB-ergometry peak VO2 was 50% and 39% below running and swimming values, respectively (P less than 0.01). Significant (P less than 0.01) increases of peak VO2 in tethered swimming (11%) and SB (21%) were observed for the SB-trained group, while the S-trained group improved (P less than 0.01) 18% and 19% on the tethered swimming and SB tests, respectively. No changes were observed during treadmill running, and the control subjects remained unchanged on all measures. Comparisons between training groups indicated that although both groups improved to a similar extent when measured on the swim bench, the 0.53 l X min-1 improvement in tethered-swimming peak VO2 for the S-trained group was greater (P less than 0.05) than the 0.32 l X min-1 increase noted for the SB-trained group. The comparisons between SB and S exercise vs treadmill exercise support the specificity of aerobic improvement with training and suggest that local adaptations contribute significantly to improvements in peak VO2. Furthermore, the present data indicate that SB exercise activates a considerable portion of the musculature involved in swimming, and that aerobic improvements with SB training are directly transferred to swimming.