UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations 1-1-1997 The effect of wetsuit leg coverage on swimming speed and selected physiological measures Peggy-Lynn Dursthoff University of Nevada, Las Vegas Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalscholarship.unlv.edu/rtds Repository Citation Dursthoff, Peggy-Lynn, "The effect of wetsuit leg coverage on swimming speed and selected physiological measures" (1997). UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations. 10. http://dx.doi.org/10.25669/lop4-85md This Thesis is protected by copyright and/or related rights. It has been brought to you by Digital Scholarship@UNLV with permission from the rights-holder(s). You are free to use this Thesis in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s) directly, unless additional rights are indicated by a Creative Commons license in the record and/ or on the work itself. 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University Microfilms International A Bell & Howell Information Company 300 North Zeeb Road, Ann Arbor, Ml 48106-1346 USA 313/761-4700 800/521-0600 Order Number 1337595 The effect of wetsuit leg coverage on swimming speed and selected physiological measures Dursthoff, Peggy-Lynn, M.S. University of Nevada, Las Vegas, 1989 UMI 300 N. Zeeb Rd. Ann Arbor, MI 48106 The Effect of Wetsuit Leg Coverage on Swimming Speed and Selected Physiological Measures by Peggy-Lynn Dursthoff A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Exercise Physiology School of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation University of Nevada, Las Vegas May 1989 The thesis of Peggy-Lynn Dursthoff for the degree of Master of Science in Exercise Physiology is approved. dw lK U . Chaiijperson, Lawrence A. Golding, Ph. D Examining Committee Member, Mohamed K. Yousef, Ph. D A l 9-"17 As Examining Committee Member, Donald Diener, Ph. D. U, Graduate Faculty Representative, Lori Temple, Ph. D. V. 4, - Graduate Dean, Ronald W. Smith, Ph. D. University of Nevada, Las Vegas May 1989 Dursthoff, Peggy-Lynn, M. S. , May, 1989 Exercise Physiology THE EFFECT OF WETSUIT LEG COVERAGE ON SWIMMING SPEED AND SELECTED PHYSIOLOGICAL MEASURES (128 pp.) Director of Thesis: Lawrence A. Golding, Ph. D. The effect of wetsuit leg coverage on swimming speed and body temperatures was investigated by having 10 triathletes swim 1500 meters 4 times in two different water temperatures (20C & 27.8C) in short-sleeved wetsuits. Subjects swam twice in a full wetsuit which covered the leg to the ankle and twice in a half suit which ended at mid-thigh. Four skin temperatures, forehead, chest, right thigh and right calf as well as esophageal temperature (T es) were measured during each swim. Swimming speed was recorded as the total time it took a subject to complete 1500 meters. Skin temperatures and esophageal temperature were measured prior to, and at 5 minute intervals during each swim. In several subjects T es was invalid due to the swallowing of water and shifting of the esophageal probe. A 2x2 analysis of variance (water temperature x suit length) factorial design was performed on each dependant variable (heartrate, swimming speed and weight change). Water temperature, suit length and the interaction between water temperature and suit length were not significant for any of the variables (heartrate, swimming speed, weight change). In addition a 2x2 MANOVA w as done to test for differences in the m eans of all skin temperatures. Subsequent univariate F tests showed that suit length had a significant effect on calf skin temperature but not thigh temperature. Water temperature had a significant effect on head, chest and calf skin temperatures. There was no significant effect of suit length on swimming speed. TABLE OF CONTENTS Page ABSTRACT i i i LIST OF FIGURES viii LIST OF TABLES ix Chapter: 1. INTRODUCTION.............................................................................. 1 Statement of the Problem ................................................... 4 Limitations and Assumptions ............................................ 5 2. REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE Introduction ................................................................................ 7 Studies in Hypothermia .......................................................... 7 Cardiac Response to Water Immersion ....................... 23 Body Temperature Exchanges in A Wetsuit .... 26 Physical and Physiological Characteristics of Triathletes............................................................................ 3 0 S u m m ary ................................................................................... 33 3. METHODOLOGY Introduction ............................................................................ 3 6 S ubjects .................................................................................. 36 Experimental Procedures .............................................. 3 8 Orientation Session ............................................................. 3 8 Four Testing Sessions ......................................................... 41 Additional M easurements and Procedures .... 42 v Test Recording Procedure ............................................... 4 4 Statistical Design................................................................... 4 5 4. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Introduction ................................................................................ 4 6 Physical Characteristics ........................................................ 4 8 24-Hour Recall Questionnaire ........................................... 51 Analysis of D a t a .................................................................... 51 Heartrate (HR), Swimming Speed (SS) and Weight Changes (WCH)........................................................................ 53 Skin Temperatures (TSk) ............................................................55 Esophageal Temperature (Tes)......................................... 58 Tsk Calf & H e a d ...................................................................... 60 Tsk Chest & Thigh................................................................... 64 Sum m ary ..................................................................................... 67 5. SUMMARY................................................................................................. 69 Conclusions .................................................................................................................70 Recommendations .............................................................................................. 71 APPENDICES A. Recruiting Flyer and Letters .........................................................73 B. Informed Consent .............................................................................78 C. Questionnaires ....................................................................................81 D. Data Collection Sheets ....................................................................89 E Procedures ................................................................................... 93 Estimating Percent Body Fat Ekg Electrode Attachment v i F. Esophageal Temperature Probe Instructions .... 99 G. Data Used in Statistical Computations ...................................101 K Raw D ata...................................................................................... 106 BIBLIOGRAPHY.................................................................................................. 121 v i i LIST OF FIGURES Page Figure 1. The calf skin temperature of 9 triathletes in 20C water in a half wetsuit with the calf exposed . 61 Figure 2. The calf skin temperature of 8 triathletes in 20C water in a full wetsuit