The Effect Of Swimming And Cool Water Immersion On Cognitive Performance Measures

INTRODUCTION: Both exercise and cool water immersion, up to 25OC, have been shown to impact cognitive function. The combinatory effect of these two factors during swimming in cool water is not understood. PURPOSE: To compare the effects of swimming and cool water immersion on cognitive performance markers of competitive swimmers. METHODS: Swimmers (n = 22) on the University team took cognitive performance tests, SimonTM game (sequential processing, short-term memory, attention, and/or visual processing) and a Stroop Test (selective attention capacity and processing speed), before (PRE) and 0-, 30-, and 60-minutes post-swim (6x200y starting every fifth minutes) or 30 min cool water immersion (CWI) using a randomized repeated measures design. Scores were compared using RMANOVA, with significance level p < 0.05. RESULTS: Simon scores significantly improved from Pre (11.14 ± 3.8) to Post-0 (9.14 ± 2.1) for CWI only, p < 0.05. Various scores from the Stroop Tests revealed improvements for swimming-only from PRE to Post-30 and Post-60 (mixed card score: 93.3 ± 21.1 vs 80.4 ± 14.7 and 81.8 ± 15.4, respectively, p < 0.05) with no change from Post-30 to post-60, p > 0.05. Specifically, this PRE vs Post-30 and Post-60 pattern was seen for scores derived processing speed assessment: mixed card; mixed - color; mixed - word; (mixed - color)/word; [word*(mixed/color)/color] were improved, p < 0.05. No differences were seen following CWI in the Stroop Test. CONCLUSION: CWI may have transiently improved Simon scores due to the physiological response to a cold stimulus. It is possible that the exercise-induced thermogenesis from swimming maintained core temperature, preventing this response. The more complex task scoring of the Stroop test’s response to swimming followed an inverted U time course. The intense nature of the workout may have “overstimulated” participants at Post-0 causing a delayed, yet potentially lasting effect on cognitive performance. Further works is needed to elucidate the complex interaction of exercise and cold exposure. KEYWORDS: Swimming, Cognitive performance, cold water immersion