Naked Science Forum

General Science => General Science => Topic started by: JuliaKia on 20/11/2008 15:01:52

Title: Do you sweat when swimming laps?
Post by: JuliaKia on 20/11/2008 15:01:52
Julia asked the Naked Scientists:

I've had several arguments with a friend about whether or not a person
sweats while swimming laps in cool water. I have argued that no, you
wouldn't, since the cool water would conduct any body heat from the exercise away from your body without the need for you to sweat.

My friend argues, though, that your body just says "I'm hot, I'll sweat now," without "realising" that the cooling is already being done by the water. I have noticed that when I spend a long time swimming laps, I get quite thirsty, but I always thought that that had more to do with loss of moisture through respiration, particularly since one does so much mouth-breathing while swimming.

Thanks!
I love the show! (http://www.thenakedscientists.com/HTML/podcasts/)

What do you think?
Title: Do you sweat when swimming laps?
Post by: RD on 20/11/2008 15:53:29
http://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/index.php?topic=17747.0
Title: Do you sweat when swimming laps?
Post by: Alan McDougall on 22/11/2008 09:05:17
As a former competitive swimmer if you are swimming in cool water I am positive you do not sweat.

You do , however, you exhale moister from your body due to the speeded up breathing and in each exhalation , water must leave your body. Something like a dog panting to keep cool. That is why you get thirsty after a long swim

Alan
Title: Do you sweat when swimming laps?
Post by: lyner on 22/11/2008 16:35:34
You could do an experiment. Leap out of the water after a few frantic lengths, dry off very quickly and see if you are sweating.
OR put a small patch on your skin and see what's underneath after some swimming.
Title: Do you sweat when swimming laps?
Post by: paul.fr on 22/11/2008 16:44:59
I can't see why you would not sweat when swimming, along with the information provided in the link from RD, you can and do sweat for more reasons the cooling the body. What if you were smimming and suddenly became nervous or scared, you would sweat.
Title: Do you sweat when swimming laps?
Post by: Chemistry4me on 01/12/2008 22:29:11
Perhaps if there was a shark in the pool.
When I played waterpolo in cool water but the air was humid, I was sweating like a pig. But I don't know if that'll be any different to swimming laps.
Title: Do you sweat when swimming laps?
Post by: jedswims on 12/12/2008 23:24:49

AS a Physical Educator, former competitor ,and lifelong swim instructor.

Through theory and experience, I believe that someone does in fact sweat while swimming, and, the temp. of the water does not matter.  It depends on the intensity of the swimming effort. If the intensity
is strong enough, the body's internal temp. will rise, as a response, sweat will be produced. It will be washed away while in the water. but. if someone exits the water immediately after swimming. and if the
humidity is high enough, they will continue to sweat until the body cools down.  [:)]