Core Temperature in Open Water Wetsuited Swimming.

Core Temperature in Open Water Wetsuited Swimming: a Cohort Study

Swimming in cold water is intrinsically unsafe. One of the threats is a fall in core body temperature (Tcore), which adversely affects all body systems and increases the risk of death. Wetsuits mitigate, but do not negate this threat. Environmental conditions may confound findings from laboratory studies or computer models, thus necessitating open water studies.

This study was designed to investigate the effects of open water wetsuited swimming on core body temperature at a range of different water temperatures between 8.4oC and 24.5oC.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Trained and highly trained swimmers.

Exclusion Criteria:

• a history of cardiovascular disease, arrhythmias, or gastrointestinal abnormalities precluding the use of rectal temperature measurement.