Abstract
Both acute and regular exercise influence vascular and cognitive
function. Upright aquatic exercise increases mean middle cerebral artery
blood velocity (MCAvmean) and has been suggested as favorable for cerebrovascular adaptations. However, MCAvmean
has not been reported during swimming. Thus, we examined the
cerebrovascular and cognitive effects of swimming. Ten land‐based
athletes (22 ± 5 years) and eight swimmers (19 ± 1 years) completed
three cognitive tasks and four conditions that were used to
independently and collectively delineate the swimming‐related factors
(i.e., posture, immersion, CO2 retention [end‐tidal CO2; PETCO2], and motor involvement). Measurements of MCAvmean and PETCO2 were taken throughout each condition. Prone posture increased MCAvmean by 11% (P < 0.01 vs. upright land). Water immersion independently increased MCAvmean when upright (12%; P < 0.01) but not prone (P = 0.76). The consequent rise in PETCO2 during head‐out, breast‐stroke swimming (50% heart rate range) independently increased MCAvmean by 14% (P < 0.01), while the motor involvement of swimming per se did not significantly change MCAvmean (P = 0.32). While accounting for sex, swimmers had ~17% lower MCAvmean during all rest conditions (P ≤ 0.05). However, in a subset of participants, both groups had similar internal carotid artery diameters (P = 0.99) and velocities (P = 0.97). Water immersion per se did not alter cognition (P ≥ 0.15), but 20 min of moderate‐intensity swimming improved visuomotor performance by 4% (P = 0.03), regardless of athlete group (P = 0.12). In conclusion, breast‐stroke swimming increased MCAvmean mostly due to postural and PETCO2
effects, with minimal contributions from water immersion or motor
activity. Lastly, swimming improved cognitive functioning acutely,
regardless of athlete group. Future research should explore the chronic
effects of swimming on cerebrovascular function and cognition,
particularly in aging.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Article number | e14247 |
Number of pages | 13 |
Journal | Physiological reports |
Volume | 7 |
Issue number | 20 |
Early online date | 22 Oct 2019 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | E-pub ahead of print - 22 Oct 2019 |
Keywords
- Cerebral blood flow
- Cognition
- Reaction time
- Swimming
- Water immersion