USU researchers conduct winter swimming experiment

2009-11-30

On November 26, Ulyanovsk State University took part in winter swimming-related events, held as part of the opening ceremony for the newly constructed 13-kilometer long bridge across the Volga river, which, with its capacity of 40 000 vehicles per day, has become the second largest span in Europe.

The day began with a winter swimming relay in the +4º C water, which featured 20 swimmers from all over Russia, representing Perm, Moscow and Novosibirsk regions, Tatarstan and the Far East. The relay participants, aged 23 – 63, were able to choose between six 300–1000 meter legs, depending on their ability. The race, which went down the length of the new bridge, was not timed, given adverse weather, which severely impeded the swimmers’ progress.

USU researchers, who set out to gather evidence of winter swimming benefits, had measuring devices attached to the backs of 6 swimmers to register body temperature, heart rate, hormone balance, blood pressure and composition. The unique experiment became a significant contribution to the study looking at the effects of cold on the human body and the limits of human endurance.

The relay was followed by a round table held at the USU administrative building that focused on “Winter swimming practices as a way to enhance human resistance to disease: facts and comments.” The event was attended by vice-president of the Russian Non-Olympic Sports Committee Dmitry Suvorov, chair of the Russian Winter Swimming Association Alexander Tolstoukhov, students and faculty members from higher educational institutions of Ulyanovsk and numerous sports lovers.