32 Celsius = 89 F !!!!!!!!!!!!
Effect of water temperature on performance, lactate production and heart rate at swimming of maximal and submaximal intensity.
Mougios V, Deligiannis A.
The effect of water temperature on performance effort, monitored heart rate and lactate production during freestyle swimming at maximal and submaximal speed has been studied. Fifteen male sprint swimmers performing 100 m swimming and fifteen comparable endurance competitors performing 30 min swimming at submaximal speed served as subjects. Water temperature in separate events was 20, 26 and 32 degrees C. At maximal performance there was a direct relationship between any two of the following parameters: water temperature, average swimming speed, heart rate during the competition and plasma lactate concentration after the event. Thus, the best effort (speed 1.704 m/s), the highest peak heart rate (185 beats/min) and the highest lactate level (19.8 mmol/l) were observed at 32 degrees C (all mean values). In contrast, these values were markedly lower at 20 degrees C. At the submaximal effort, water temperature was related to peak heart rate only. The highest peak heart rate (144 beats/min) was again obtained at 32 degrees C, while the lactate concentration (4.2-5.2 mmol/l) was independent of temperature. Water temperature appears to have a direct effect on performance effort, heart rate and lactate production during swimming at maximal intensity, whereas this effect seems to fade at submaximal efforts.
Former Member
Obviously nobody wants to work out in 90 degree waters. But I thought it was interesting that the average swimmer is faster in 90 degrees, compared to 79 (which is competition temp).
It goes to show you - just because everybody says that 78-80 is best, that does not make it true - one would need a larger sample. But for the sprints, it makes a lot of sense (one sprint that is ...)
The Threshold swims showed that the HR was much higher at 90 degrees, which makes sense -- but the Lactate was actually lower ???
I work out at 4 different pools - temp varies at times between 76 and 85. I can adjust my workout for the warm water - but I can not adjust anything at 76 degrees - more or less continuous swimming is a mindless way of working out. The outside temp is also somewhat important - 79 degrees with 60 degree outside (+ wind) is a lot different than 79 water and 80 outside (Arizona).
Another thing to consider is that the density of water gets less as its temperature goes up. So a higher temperature can make things like buoyancy more difficult as well as being harder to anchor the hand in the water (or pull against the water).
I'm skeptical there'd be much effect. From this table I get
0.996914 g/cm^3 @ 25.5C (78F)
0.995646 g/cm^3 @ 30.0C (86F)
That's only a 0.1% reduction in density. I doubt there would be much effect on your buoyancy or anchoring properties of the water. Compare that with the average density of sea water (1.025 g/cm^3 - temperature unknown) which is about 2.5% more dense than the above numbers. Hmmm... I imagine the density of your pool's water depends on the amount of chemicals dumped in it to combat little critters, though maybe it doesn't make much difference either.
When the water is over about 84 it feels different to me,like it's harder to get a grip on.I swam at one saline pool that seemed "too salty" and the water didn't feel right in it either.Also my worst major meet 50 in recent memory was Nats at the Woodlands where the water was about 86 by the race time.Everyone in my heat was slower than predicted.
It may not be scientific, but for me, when I swim in water 84 and above, it doesn't feel right to me, as I term it I lose my feel for the water. Last summer, at the club I used to swim at, the outdoor pool was around 84, if not warmer, and I was completely dying, the water just did not feel right. The indoor pool was at 81, right were I like it, so I want in there to swim, and immediately the water felt right again and I actually felt like I was going somewhere
i'd like to see a study compare the effects of water and AIR temps.
when swimming indoors, my energy is zapped more quickly when the air is warm... which also seems to effect air quality.
here are my unscientific observations:
warm air + warm water = uggggh
warm air + cool water = nice then uggggh
cool air + warm water = not bad
cool air + cool water = bracing then sweet
With the possible exception of A) a larger sample group, and B) a way of quantifying degree of uggggh factor , this may be the most scientific posting to date.
I personally find warm air + cool water better than cool air + warm water. But otherwise, your analysis precisely gels with this anecdotal evidence experiencer's anecdotal evidence.
Keep up the fine science, Captain Chaos!
a way of quantifying degree of uggggh factor , this may be the most scientific posting to date.
may i suggest these standards of measurement for the "U" factor.
U-1 = a 16oz. sports drink chilled to 34 degrees F will last less than 15 minutes if left within reach of yours truly during practice.
U-2 = breathing sucks, slight dizziness when heart rate = 2x age
U-3 = i hope the lifeguard knows how to use that whatchamacallit thing
i'd like to see a study compare the effects of water and AIR temps.
when swimming indoors, my energy is zapped more quickly when the air is warm... which also seems to effect air quality.
here are my unscientific observations:
warm air + warm water = uggggh
warm air + cool water = nice then uggggh
cool air + warm water = not bad
cool air + cool water = bracing then sweet
