The influence of winter swimming on the rheological properties of blood

Abstract

The aim of this study was to analyze the changes in blood rheology resulting from regular winter swimming. The study was carried out on 12 male winter swimmers. Venous blood for morphological, biochemical and rheological analysis was sampled twice from each winter swimmer -at the beginning of the season and after its completion. There were no significant changes detected in the median values of most blood morphological parameters. The only exception pertained to MCHC which was significantly lower after the season. Winter swimming entailed significant decrease in median elongation index values at shear stress levels of 0.30 Pa and 0.58 Pa, and significant increase in median values of this parameter at shear stress levels ≥1.13 Pa. No significant changes were observed in winter swimmers' median values of aggregation indices and plasma viscosity. The median level of glucose was lower post winter swimming in comparison to the pre-seasonal values. In contrast, one season of winter swimming did not influence swimmers' median value of fibrinogen concentration. In summary, this study revealed positive effects of winter swimming on the rheological properties of blood, manifested by an increase in erythrocyte deformability without accompanying changes in erythrocyte aggregation.

Positive effect of winter baths in outdoor water reservoirs

“…Previous studies confirm the positive effect of winter baths, the beneficial effect of reduced temperatures on the body is also known. The conducted surveys confirm the positive effect of winter baths and the lack of side effects It seems prospective to carry out medical research on members of walrus clubs (C. Mila-Kierzenkowska et al, 2011;Teległów et al, 2014;Wesołowki et al, 2013).…”

“…The study was conducted to confirm the positive effect of such baths among people practicing them in the Podkarpackie Voivodeship (Mika, 1996;C. Mila-Kierzenkowska et al, 2011;Celestyna Mila-Kierzenkowska et al, 2016;Teległów et al, 2008Teległów et al, , 2014Wesołowki, Gackowska, Woźniak, Mila-Kierzenkowska, & Jurecka, 2013;Zeman, 2005).…”

Effects of a Meal on the Hemorheologic Responses to Exercise in Young Males

“…The rheological analysis was conducted as described above [ 17 , 18 ]. The deformability and aggregation of red blood cells were determined using a laser-assisted optical rotational cell analyzer (LORCA, RR Mechatronics, Holland) according to Hardeman's method [ 7 , 8 ].…”

Trasformation of Erythrocytes in Young and Old Rats’ Blood After the Whole Body Cryostimulation

“…Зміна форми еритроцитів є енергетичнота температурозалежним процесом, визначається за станом фосфоліпідних компонентів мембрани, її поверхневих та інтегральних білків, а також співвідношенням активності про-та антиоксидантних процесів [11,12]. На початкових фазах дії холоду оксидативний стрес імовірно викликає деградацію певних протеїнів і активує антиоксидантну систему [13].…”