Cold Water Swimming—Benefits and Risks: A Narrative Review

Abstract

Cold water swimming (winter or ice swimming) has a long tradition in northern countries. Until a few years ago, ice swimming was practiced by very few extreme athletes. For some years now, ice swimming has been held as competitions in ice-cold water (colder than 5 °C). The aim of this overview is to present the current status of benefits and risks for swimming in cold water. When cold water swimming is practiced by experienced people with good health in a regular, graded and adjusted mode, it appears to bring health benefits. However, there is a risk of death in unfamiliar people, either due to the initial neurogenic cold shock response or due to a progressive decrease in swimming efficiency or hypothermia.

Concentrations of Ca, Mg, P, Prostaglandin E2 in Bones and Parathyroid Hormone; 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3; 17-β-estradiol; Testosterone and Somatotropin in Plasma of Aging Rats Subjected to Physical Training in Cold Water

“…Cold is one of the strongest physiological and psychological environmental stressors, resulting in significant physiological defense reactions in the body, i.e., cold shock response. The body also reacts with an adaptive long-term change in metabolic, physiological, biochemical, and hormonal parameters [1][2][3][4][5][6]. It has also been shown that repeated exposure to cold stimulates the immune system [7][8][9], slows down Biomolecules 2021, 11, 616 2 of 16 the heart rate, decreases cardiac output, and increases blood pressure.…”

“…At the same time, the direct effect of exposure to cold water is a reduction in nerve conduction velocity, which results in reductions in the stretching reflex and muscle spasticity, thus reducing pain during intense muscle work [ 12 ]. It has also been shown that cold water immersion reduces the concentration of cortisol and increases the concentration of noradrenaline and dopamine [ 6 , 12 , 13 , 14 ].…”

“…Exposure to low temperatures can be considered a stressor, which when applied for a specific time can lead to adaptive reactions [ 6 , 23 , 24 ]. Therefore, in our study we hypothesized that cold, when applied to the entire body, may be a factor that positively modifies the aging process of bones by improving the mechanisms related to the body’s mineral balance.…”

Acute increase in arterial stiffness after swimming in cooler water

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As the popularity of open cold-water swimming increases, it is timely to consider the effects of cold-water immersion (Tipton et al, 2017).In a well-written narrative review, Knechtle et al, (2020) have stated that cold-water swimming has a wide variety of health benefits, including changes in haematological and endocrine function, fewer upper respiratory tract infections, amelioration of mood disorders and general well-being. However, it is also needed to be aware of potential cardiac and pulmonary risks that arise due to the cold exposure (Knechtle et al, 2020).Arterial stiffness, an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease (Ohkuma et al, 2017), can also be affected by water temperature during swimming although the effects of cold-water swimming on arterial stiffness have not been explored. Blood pressure would be higher during cold-water swimming relative to

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“…In a well-written narrative review, Knechtle et al, (2020) have stated that cold-water swimming has a wide variety of health benefits, including changes in haematological and endocrine function, fewer upper respiratory tract infections, amelioration of mood disorders and general well-being. However, it is also needed to be aware of potential cardiac and pulmonary risks that arise due to the cold exposure (Knechtle et al, 2020).…”