Comparison of heart rate in the aquatic environment and on the land

Abstract

Background: The difference between atmospheric air and water can be described based on the chemical and physical properties. Difference between these properties demonstrably affects sport performance and cannot perform the same activity identically in water and on land. This is evident especially in terms of biomechanics of movement. Difference in density of the environment does not allow one to perform the movement in the same way. In addition biomechanics is compared environmental influence on the human body physiological in physical activity. Changes in heart rate is one of the physiological parameters that are being investigated. Objective: To determine whether the body submersion under water will have a significant impact on changes in resting heart rate compared to heart rate measured in the same position on the land. Methods: This is a quantitative study conducted by comparing the values of heart on the land and in the water of 30 athletes with experiences from water sports and swimming (age 23.7 ± 1.8 years). Heart rate was measured for five minutes in static position on the back (water = 26 cm, water temperature 30.4 ± 0.2° C, air temperature 23.4 ± 0.4° C). Parametric unpaired Student t-test have been used for calculation of statistical significance have (p = .05). Threshold for estimation of practical significance of heart rate variance have been established at ±3 beats per minute. Results: Results of parametric unpaired Student t-test did not indicate statistically significant differnce of resting heart rate in the water and on the land (p = .080-.925). Heart rate decreased at least 3 beats per minute in ten people, increased at least 3 beats per minute in seven people, or stayed in range of ±3 beats per minute in 13 people. Conclusions: Results showed that a water environment has not a statistically significant effect for changing the resting heart rate. We are not able to come with a clear trend of difference in heart rate in the water and on the land from examined practical significance. We recommend working with actual measured heart rate values in activities in the water.