Citation

Macaluso F, Barone R, Isaacs AW, Farina F, Morici G, Di Felice V. Wilderness Environ. Med. 2013; 24(4): 362-365.

Affiliation

Department of Experimental Biology and Clinical Neurology, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy (Drs Macaluso, Barone, Farina, Morici, and Di Felice). Electronic address: filippo.macaluso@unipa.it.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.wem.2013.04.008

PMID

23891244

Abstract

Open-water swimming is a rapidly growing sport discipline worldwide, and clinical problems associated with long-distance swimming are now better recognized and managed more effectively. The most prevalent medical risk associated with an open-water swimming event is hypothermia; therefore, the Federation Internationale De Natation (FINA) has instituted 2 rules to reduce this occurrence related to the minimum water temperature and the time taken to complete the race. Another medical risk that is relevant to open-water swimmers is heat stroke, a condition that can easily go unnoticed. The purpose of this review is to shed light on this physiological phenomenon by examining the physiological response of swimmers during long-distance events, to define a maximum water temperature limit for competitions. We conclude that competing in water temperatures exceeding 33°C should be avoided.

Language: en