Calls for cold water swimming to be made safer for women

Chilly water swimming is rising in reputation amongst girls, however extra help is required to make many wild swimming websites within the UK safer and extra accessible, finds a brand new research led by UCL researchers.

The analysis, printed in Ladies’s Well being, explored the habits of girls who get pleasure from chilly water swimming and was carried out in collaboration with researchers from the College of Portsmouth, College of Sussex, College Hospitals Sussex NHS Basis Belief, College of Plymouth and Bournemouth College.

The staff surveyed 1,114 girls within the UK aged 16 to 80 years outdated in 2022 and located that the majority girls who participated in wild swimming often did so within the sea (64.4%) and the bulk (89%) swam all yr round.

The ladies surveyed said that they swam for longer in the summertime, with the most typical size of time being 30–60 minutes (48.2%). Nonetheless, within the winter, a majority of swims lasted between 5–quarter-hour (53.8%).

Earlier this yr, the identical survey revealed that menopausal girls who frequently swim in chilly water report important enhancements to their bodily and psychological signs. It was additionally discovered to enhance menstrual signs.

Nonetheless, whereas there are lots of advantages to the game, there are additionally dangers that may be exacerbated by the swimming setting.

Lead writer, Professor Joyce Harper (UCL EGA Institute for Ladies’s Well being) mentioned, “One of many well being dangers linked to chilly water swimming is the elevated probability of gastroenteritis and different infections on account of air pollution in UK rivers and seas. This may very well be avoidable with higher monitoring of websites.”

Co-author Dr. Mark Harper (College Hospitals Sussex NHS Basis Belief) added, “Obstacles to chilly water swimming might be overcome and our early analysis in non-pregnant populations means that the exercise has a considerably constructive impact on psychological well being.”

Designated bathing waters within the UK are usually monitored through the summer season months (Might-September). Nonetheless, many don’t meet the prescribed requirements and researchers imagine this can be worse for undesignated websites.

Because of this, the researchers are calling for the UK authorities, water corporations, the Atmosphere Company, and others internationally, to enhance the protection and accessibility of open water for individuals who wish to swim outside.

Professor Harper mentioned, “Our earlier analysis has discovered that ladies strongly understand chilly water swimming to profit their well being. Exercising in nature, with a neighborhood, is a mixture that needs to be inspired. Nonetheless, it’s presently not effectively supported.

“For instance, within the UK, the federal government bathing-water high quality web site solely runs from Might to September, ignoring the winter months the place heavy rainfall and consequent sewage overflow mostly happen.

“Globally, we needs to be guaranteeing that chilly water swimming is accessible and secure. It’s time to make this more and more in style and helpful sport safer and supported for all.”

Co-author Professor Sasha Roseneil (College of Sussex) mentioned, “In recent times chilly water swimming has develop into a ardour for a lot of hundreds of girls throughout the UK, bringing quite a few advantages to well-being. Whereas the free and unregulated nature of swimming in open water is a part of its attraction, it’s time for the federal government and regulators to pay severe consideration to the standard of our rivers, lakes and seas, to guard each swimmers at present, and the ecosystems of those valuable pure sources for the long run.”

The staff are persevering with their analysis into the subject and are concerned in an upcoming research led by Professor Jill Shawe (College of Plymouth) into chilly water swimming and being pregnant.