The noodlers have succeeded, again, in getting the pool temperature raised to 86 degrees! :bitching: I have sent an e-mail to the American Red Cross, however, the more information I gather, the better! If any of you have any published articles on this topic, I would greatly appreciate it!
Here is the e-mail I sent to the American Red cross:
Hello,
I live in an adult community with an indoor swimming pool. After doing internet research, I am still not sure of a definitive recommendation of appropriate water temperatures for the following:
1. Adults (55 years old or older) swimming laps and/or participating in water aerobics who have high blood pressure or other heart conditions.
2. Adults (55 years old or older) swimming laps and/or participating in water aerobics who have diabetes.
In addition, what is the recommended air temperature and humidity percentage for an indoor pool?
The pool temperature in our community was raised from 84 to 86, so I am trying to build a case for lowering the temperature to suit the needs of the majority of our residents. And, it is my guess that most of the residents using the pool have either high blood pressure, other heart conditions, diabetes, or other health conditions making it a health risk to exercise in 86 degree water.
Any assistance and documentation you can provide would be most appreciated!
Thank you very much,
Elaine Krugman
Thanks, Forumites, for any documentation you send my way! By the way, if you can post links in the forums, perhaps it would help others, as well, who are battling the same issues. If you have articles to send as attachments, please send me a PM and I will provide you my e-mail address.
Thanks!
Elaine
P.S. Anna Lea: If you see this, does USMS have any "official" documentation at your offices?
Fergus Ontario Canada. Swimmers from the Fergus swim club trained in their outdoor pool all year. Even during snow storms and freezing weather. Some great swimmers came out of that pool.
This is their typical weather here www.theweathernetwork.com/.../CAON0235 and they swam all thru this kind of stuff.
I guess this proves different people have different opinions of what cold is!
I've swum in pools many times in below freezing temperatures and I think it feels great. The feeling of getting snowed on while you're swimming is unique! The warm water is going to keep the air right at the waterline much warmer. And besides, how would this be any different than breathing when it's cold outside when you're not swimming?
Kirk - cold air is more dense than warm air so I would expect more oxygen content in cooler air on average. Similar to training at altitude and then racing at sea level. This is why Big Shoulders is a great venue - usually cold (water and air) and at sea level :blah::blah::blah:!
I have an opposite question. I was in Tampa last week (I live in OH) and swam outdoors. (At a YMCA!!! What a switch from OH.) The heater had been broken so 1st day water was 79. Last day it was 83. I loved the water. Air temp was low 50's and it was fairly windy. I didn't notice anything about inhaling the cold air as I swam, but would some people have trouble with their breathing during these temps? Would it be bad for you?
Apparently no one wanted to swim that week. I was the only one there.
The documentation I have seen states the same thing as the link you provided, Philo. What's missing is recommended temperatures for those swimming or exercising in water with high blood pressure, other heart conditions or diabetes; conditions afflicting many of our current pool users. Trying to nail that down has been difficult.
When I read the document philoswimmer posted, I'm struck that for "Older low intensity" the temperature range recommended is 86-90 degrees. Is that is the appropriate range for "high blood pressure, other heart conditions or diabetes?" I'd guess so. I also think the pool management might have figured that out.
When I read the document philoswimmer posted, I'm struck that for "Older low intensity" the temperature range recommended is 86-90 degrees. Is that is the appropriate range for "high blood pressure, other heart conditions or diabetes?" I'd guess so. I also think the pool management might have figured that out.
No, definitely NOT. The letter I wrote to my HOA includes information I obtained from the American Red Cross and other sources, regarding the specifics for those medical conditions. The HOA ultimately used those recommendations and settled on 82 for the summer and 85 for the winter, keeping the humidity level between 50-60% and the air maxed at 80 degrees.
No, definitely NOT. The letter I wrote to my HOA includes information I obtained from the American Red Cross and other sources, regarding the specifics for those medical conditions. The HOA ultimately used those recommendations and settled on 82 for the summer and 85 for the winter, keeping the humidity level between 50-60% and the air maxed at 80 degrees.
I feel for you, Elaine. I count my lucky stars that I am able to swim in a college pool that is kept at 79-80 degrees year-round. I've done lake swims in water that was considerably warmer, but I wasn't going all-out like we sometimes do during our Masters workouts. I can't imagine trying to attempt a one-hour workout in a pool with a temperature between 82 and 85 degrees.
I hope the decision made by your HOA works out for you.
I feel for you, Elaine. I count my lucky stars that I am able to swim in a college pool that is kept at 79-80 degrees year-round. I've done lake swims in water that was considerably warmer, but I wasn't going all-out like we sometimes do during our Masters workouts. I can't imagine trying to attempt a one-hour workout in a pool with a temperature between 82 and 85 degrees.
I hope the decision made by your HOA works out for you.
Thanks Deb!
My wife and I are probably outliers. I love 84 degrees for training. It is easy to get into, I never get cold - regardless of the practice intensity.
And, maybe more importantly, my body gets used to shedding heat, so when I am in competition (77-82), I have no trouble with over-heating.
Bumping a really old thread, as it now pertains to me.
I swim at a Gold's Gym. I've been told by the lady who instructs the Zumba classes that the GOld's policy is 82. However, the heater's control panel recently broke, allowing the temperature to go up to a good 90 twice in the past few weeks. A couple of weeks ago, I only did my warmup. Today, I did my main set, but skipped the test swim and the drill set.
A triathlete who swims in the mornings with me pointed out that the temperature has been getting warmer, even when the heater was working. Apparently the Zumba class people may be complaining, and they are raising the temperature.
At any rate, fortunately today one of the people who instructs various (non water) classes was swimming and we both asked them to turn off the heater. It was set to 84 (but again, was a good 90). Groan, it seems like the folks who do the class at the GOld's about 15 miles away have gotten the temperature increased at this pool, too.
So I plan to address this with a manager, and I'm finding a lot of the same recommendations, 77-82 is FINA's official policy. Can't find a USMS link. Red Cross actually shows 83-86 for swim lessons, but refers to FINA for the lap swimmers. That 82 max seems to be a common number, though.
SO my question is if anyone here who may still be around reading this had any insight into lap pools. Unlike Elaine's, this is a gym pool, not a community pool. I would expect that a gym would keep things more in line with competitive swimming? Am I off base? Pool is used throughout most of the day, but does have one Zumba class for an hour per day. I'd think us lap swimmers would be more numerous, and a bit more catered to?
I feel like 83 is a good compromise for all pool users. It's probably a little warmer than most lap swimmers would prefer, and a little colder than the exercise groups might prefer. 83 is definitely not too warm to workout in.
