The amount of O2 released or absorbed by hemoglobin is affected by partial pressure, ph, and temperature. I won't get into the other two factors since temperature is the one that affects swimmers. The higher the temperature of the body, the greater the amount of O2 that is released by the hemoglobin. As swimmers we share the change in ph due to CO2 and lactic acid that release more O2 but we certainly lack the greater increase in body temperature that marathoners experience. Marathoners often see body temperatures rise to 103 degrees during a race which works wonders for O2 release. What temperature does the body reach in a swimmer during a 200M Freestyle for instance? Would there be any benefit to swimming in slightly warmer water? Food for thought.;)
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Buoyancy. According to some book I'm reading about fish :D (but of course), changes in water temperature slightly affect buoyancy. It says, "the highest density is observed at a temperature of 4 degrees celsius." That's about 49.2 degrees fahrenheit. I can't wait to test this out.
Haven't reached the chapters yet on the metabolics of fish. I'm hoping I'll have developed gills by then...
Buoyancy. According to some book I'm reading about fish :D (but of course), changes in water temperature slightly affect buoyancy. It says, "the highest density is observed at a temperature of 4 degrees celsius." That's about 49.2 degrees fahrenheit. I can't wait to test this out.
Haven't reached the chapters yet on the metabolics of fish. I'm hoping I'll have developed gills by then...
