Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “SWIMMING”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Compartmental shifts of calcium and magnesium as a result of swimming and swimming training in rats.

To describe accurately the mineral changes (Ca and Mg) provoked by swimming, the aims of this study were to analyze those tissues that, with regard to their mineral content, can better classify individuals performing both swimming until exhaustion and swimming as training and to know the shifts of these minerals between different tissues after a single session of swimming until exhaustion and after training. Wistar rats were distributed into 12 groups, six male and six female (N = 10): 1) control rest group (CR); 2) trained rest group (TR); 3) control exercise group (CE); 4) trained exercise group (TE); 5) control recovery group (CER) and 6) trained recovery group (TER). The most informative tissues of Ca and Mg compartmental shifts during exercise have been determined. Discriminant analysis selected heart Ca, muscle Ca and bone Ca, bone Mg, erythrocyte Mg, and serum Mg as the most significant variables. The animals were classified by means of two canonical axes: the first one relates to training situation and sex, and the second one shows the special characteristics of trained male rats. Another independent discriminant analysis applied to male and female groups separately showed that the first canonical axis (control/trained) is basically defined by heart Ca, bone Ca, and erythrocyte Mg (male), and by heart Ca, bone Ca, and bone Mg (female), while the second axis, related to the exercise situations, is defined by the serum Mg levels in both sexes. We think that discriminant analysis is a statistical method capable of explaining physiological processes and classifying individuals performing exercises of different length. It suggests that the homeostasis of Ca and Mg is somewhat different for males and females. Serum magnesium must be considered to distinguish exercise situations. The analysis of these tissues could inform us about the mineral status of the rats and then we could correct possible deficiencies in our research. In this work we have only found different mineral redistributions among tissues. The trained animals have a better mineral recovery capacity than the untrained ones. Training has a different physiological repercussion in male and female rats on the basis of their respective maximal swimming times after training and their mineral behavior.

Animals↗

Tuning in to fish swimming waves: body form, swimming mode and muscle function

Most fish species swim with lateral body undulations running from head to tail. These waves run more slowly than the waves of muscle activation causing them, reflecting the effect of the interaction between the fish's body and the reactive forces from the water. The coupling between both waves depends on the lateral body shape and on the mechanical properties of the tail. During steady swimming, the length of each myotomal muscle fibre varies cyclically. The phase relationship between the strain (muscle length change) cycle and the active period (when force is generated) determines the work output of the muscle. The muscle power is converted to thrust either directly by the bending body or almost exclusively by the tail, depending upon the body shape of the species and the swimming kinematics. We have compared the kinematics and muscle activity patterns from seven species of fish with different body forms and swimming modes and propose a model which yields a consistent pattern, with at least three extremes. Subtle tuning of the phase relationship between muscle strain and activation cycles can lead to major changes in the way muscles function in different swimming modes.

Journal Article↗

Sensory modification of leech swimming: interactions between ventral stretch receptors and swim-related neurons.

The neuronal circuits that generate the leech swimming rhythm comprise oscillatory interneurons that provide appropriately phased output to drive swim-related motoneurons. Within ganglia, these interneurons express three phases; between ganglia there exists a phase delay between homologs. Our earlier experiments revealed that stretch receptors embedded in the body wall participate in intersegmental coordination and setting intersegmental phases. To identify the basis for these sensory effects, we mapped interactions between a ventral stretch receptor and swim-related neurons. Connections between this receptor and motoneurons are weak and variable in quiescent preparations, but during fictive swimming stretch receptor activation modulates motoneuron oscillations, hence, these effects are polysynaptic, mediated by interneurons. We identified a strong, nonrectifying, and apparently direct electrical connection between the stretch receptor and oscillator neuron 33. The ventral stretch receptor also interacts with most of the other oscillatory interneurons, including inhibitory inputs to cells 28 and 208, excitatory input to the contralateral cell 115, and mixed input to the ipsilateral cell 115. These direct and indirect interactions can account for previously described effects of body-wall stretch on motoneuron activity. They also could mediate the previously described modification of intersegmental phase relationships by appropriately phased stretch receptor activation.

Animals↗

Hypothermia and afterdrop following open water swimming: the Alcatraz/San Francisco Swim Study.

To determine whether or not participants in open water swim events experience hypothermia and afterdrop, rectal temperature was measured for up to 45 minutes in 11 subjects following the New Year's Day Alcatraz Swim. This event was held in open water (11.7 degrees C [53.0 degrees F]) in the San Francisco Bay, and participants did not wear wetsuits or other protective clothing. Biophysical parameters, including surfacelvolume ratio, body mass index, and percent body fat were measured before the swim, and statistical analysis was done to determine predictors of temperature decrease and afterdrop duration. Applying the American Heart Association definition of hypothermia (less than 36.0 C [96.8 degrees F]), hypothermia was seen in 5 of the 11 subjects. Using a more rigorous and traditional definition (less than 35.0 degrees C [95.0 degrees F]), hypothermia was seen in only one subject. Afterdrop, defined as continued cooling following removal from cold stress, was seen in 10 of the 11 subjects. Surface/volume ratio (S/V) and body mass index (BMI) predicted the lowest recorded temperatures (P < .05; r(S/V) = -.71, r(BMI) = .72) and afterdrop duration (P < .05; r(SN) = -.75, r(BMI) = .69). These results suggest that hypothermia and afterdrop can occur commonly after recreational open water swimming, and that participants should be observed for signs of temperature decrease following removal from cold stress.

Adult↗

Intrinsic neuromodulation in the Tritonia swim CPG: the serotonergic dorsal swim interneurons act presynaptically to enhance transmitter release from interneuron C2.

Heterosynaptic enhancement of transmitter release is potentially very important for neuronal computation, yet, to our knowledge, no prior study has shown that stimulation of one neuron directly enhances release from an interneuron. Here, we demonstrate that in the marine mollusk Tritonia diomedea, the serotonergic dorsal swim interneurons (DSIs) heterosynaptically increase the amount of transmitter released from another interneuron, C2. Stimulation of a single DSI at physiological firing frequencies increases the size of synaptic potentials evoked by C2. This increase in synaptic efficacy is correlated with an increase in homosynaptic paired-pulse facilitation by C2. Thus, it is likely to be due to an enhancement of transmitter release from C2, rather than a postsynaptic action on the followers of C2. This is further supported by the fact that DSI stimulation enhances the strengths of all chemical synapses made by C2 within the swim network, regardless of their sign. Furthermore, DSI enhances the amplitude of C2 synaptic potentials recorded in neurons that DSI itself does not synapse with. Finally, DSI differentially modulates different synaptic inputs to the same postsynaptic target; while increasing C2-evoked EPSPs it simultaneously decreases the size of EPSPs evoked by other DSIs. The heterosynaptic facilitation of C2 synaptic potentials by DSI is not caused by a simple depolarization of C2, but may be a direct action on the transmitter release mechanism. This neuromodulatory effect, which is intrinsic to the circuitry of the central pattern generator for escape swimming in Tritonia, may be important for self-reconfiguration of the swim motor network.

Animals↗

Swim exercise training and adaptations in the antioxidant defense system of myocardium of old rats: relationship to swim intensity and duration.

We examined a suitable swim program of different intensities and durations that could evoke changes in the myocardial antioxidant capacity in 22-month-old rats. Male rats (Rattus norvegicus) were assigned to either a sedentary control (SE-C) group or one of six trainee groups. Animals were swim-exercised for 4 weeks with either 20 min or 40 min/day, and three intensities, low, moderate and high. Low-intensity at 20 min/day elicited maximum swim velocity (Sv) and endurance capacity (P<0.05). While serum total cholesterol, triglyceride and low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C) levels were significantly reduced, high-density lipoprotein (HDL-C) showed an increase (P<0.05) in low-intensity trained rats (20 min/day) over SE-C. Notable reduction in blood lactate was also evident. Exercise training significantly increased superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD), decreased lipid peroxidation products, malondialdehyde and lipofuscin in the left and right ventricles. Increased Mn-SOD with concomitant decrease in lipofuscin in left ventricle was significantly greater than in right ventricle. Moderate- to high-intensity exercise was not effective in either reducing lipid peroxidation products or elevating Mn-SOD activity. These data suggest that swim training at low-intensity of 20 min/day is beneficial as a major protective adaptation against oxidative stress in old myocardium.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

A comparison of swim-down and swim-up methods for the extraction of high motility sperm.

High quality motile sperm are essential for the success of the in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer program and related procedures, for the performance of sperm antibody assays, and other in vitro tests of sperm function. Two methods for the extraction of high motility sperm, swim-down and swim-up, were compared on 30 ejaculates, and sperm motility was assessed at intervals up to 18 hours. The swim-down method was simpler, shorter, and provided a significantly better recovery of sperm with sustained high motility than did the swim-up method.

Analysis of Variance↗

Reduction of steps in the preparation of motile sperm for intrauterine insemination does not reduce efficacy of the procedure: simplified one-step swim-up method versus classic swim-up.

BACKGROUND: Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is a valid treatment for infertility with a cumulative pregnancy rate of >40-90% after 3-10 treatment cycles. We studied the efficacy of a simplified method for motile sperm preparation for IUI. METHODS: A prospective clinical trial was performed with 100 couples (male age 33-48 and female 28-37 years) with a 2-8 year history of primary infertility associated with slight oligozoospermia (16/100), oligomenorrhoea (32/100) or unknown (52/100). Motile sperm for IUI were prepared by: (A) the classic World Health Organization self-migration (swim-up) method which includes centrifugation, or (B) a simplified one-step swim-up procedure without centrifugation. Recombinant FSH was used for ovarian stimulation. Depending on the cause of infertility, patients were matched one-to-one at the time of IUI, so that when a total of 100 couples had been treated, 50/100 women received sperm prepared by method A and 50/100 by method B. RESULTS: A statistically significant correlation was found between the percentage motile sperm of the original semen sample and the percentage of motile sperm recovered by method A (r = 0.333, P < 0.01) and B (r = 0.400, P < 0.01). A highly significant correlation (r = 0.997, P < 0.001) was found between the two methods. CONCLUSIONS: The simplified one-step swim-up method was as effective as the classic swim-up method, but the former was easier and more economical.

Adult↗

Intrinsic neuromodulation in the Tritonia swim CPG: serotonin mediates both neuromodulation and neurotransmission by the dorsal swim interneurons.

1. Neuromodulation has previously been shown to be intrinsic to the central pattern generator (CPG) circuit that generates the escape swim of the nudibranch mollusk Tritonia diomedea; the dorsal swim interneurons (DSIs) make conventional monosynaptic connections and evoke neuromodulatory effects within the swim motor circuit. The conventional synaptic potentials evoked by a DSI onto cerebral neuron 2 (C2) and onto the dorsal flexion neurons (DFNs) consist of a fast excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP) followed by a prolonged slow EPSP. In their neuromodulatory role, the DSIs produce an enhancement of the monosynaptic connections made by C2 onto other CPG circuit interneurons and onto efferent flexion neurons. Previous work showed that the DSIs are immunoreactive for serotonin. Here we provide evidence that both the neurotransmission and the neuromodulation evoked by the DSIs are produced by serotonin, and that these effects may be pharmacologically separable. 2. Previously it was shown that bath-applied serotonin both mimics and occludes the modulation of the C2 synapses by the DSIs. Here we find that pressure-applied puffs of serotonin mimic both the fast and slow EPSPs evoked by a DSI onto a DFN, whereas high concentrations of bath-applied serotonin occlude both of these synaptic components. 3. Consistent with the hypothesis that serotonin mediates the actions of the DSIs, the serotonin reuptake inhibitor imipramine prolongs the duration of the fast DSI-DFN EPSP, increases the amplitude of the slow DSI-DFN EPSP, and increases both the amplitude and duration of the modulation of the C2-DFN synapse by the DSIs. 4. Two serotonergic antagonists were found that block the actions of the DSIs. Gramine blocks the fast DSI-DFN EPSP, and has far less of an effect on the slow EPSP and the modulation. Gramine also diminishes the depolarization evoked by pressure-applied serotonin, showing that it is a serotonin antagonist in this system. In contrast, methysergide greatly reduces both the slow EPSP and the modulation evoked by the DSIs, but has mixed effects on the fast EPSP. Methysergide also blocks the ability of exogenous serotonin to enhance the C2-DFN EPSP, demonstrating that it antagonizes the serotonin receptors responsible for this modulation. 5. Taken together with previous work, these results indicate that serotonin is likely to be responsible for all three actions of the DSIs that were examined: the fast and slow DSI-DFN EPSPs and the neuromodulation of the C2-DFN synapse. These results also indicate that the conventional and neuromodulatory effects of the DSIs may be pharmacologically separable. In future work it may be possible to determine the functional role of each in the swim circuit.

Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors↗

The highly selective 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)2A receptor antagonist, EMD 281014, significantly increases swimming and decreases immobility in male congenital learned helpless rats in the forced swim test.

We examined the effect of the highly selective 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)(2A) receptor antagonist 7-[4-[2-(4-fluoro-phenyl)-ethyl]-piperazine-1-carbonyl]-1H-indole-3-carbonitrile HCl (EMD 281014) in congenital learned helpless male rats in the forced swim test. The administration of EMD-281014 (0.3-30 mg/kg i.p.) to congenital learned helpless rats dose-dependently and significantly (at 10 and 30 mg/kg) decreased immobility and increased swimming compared to vehicle-treated animals. Thus, EMD 281014 produces effects in the forced swim test resembling those of antidepressants.

Animals↗

Swimming capacity of mice after prolonged treatment with psychostimulants. II. Effect of methamphetamine on swimming performance and availability of metabolic substrates.

Swimming endurance and availability of metabolic substrates (blood glucose and nonesterified fatty acids [NEFA], liver and muscle glycogen, body fat) were studied in mice treated with 10 microgram/g methamphetamine/day for 6 weeks. At the end of the 6-week treatment, motor coordination of the methamphetamine-treated animals was much better than that of controls, and swimming capacity tended to increase. While swimming, mice treated with methamphetamine mobilized more glycogen from the hepatic stores and utilized glucose more effectively. Their NEFA levels in blood were higher than those of controls. There was no difference in the muscular glycogen content.

Animals↗

Stress analgesia: the opioid analgesia of long swims suppresses the non-opioid analgesia induced by short swims in mice.

In mice, room temperature swimming for as short a period as 15 sec has been found to induce a non-opioid analgesia with a time course of 10-12 min. As the duration of the swim is increased, an opioid analgesia develops with a longer persistence (25-30 min); the development of the opioid analgesia appears to suppress the expression of the non-opioid analgesia so that none of the latter is evident after 3 min swims. The characteristics of the tail-flick nociceptive test are also described.

Analgesia↗

A cautionary note regarding drug and brain lesion studies that use swimming pool tasks: partial reinforcement impairs acquisition of place learning in a swimming pool but not on dry land.

Spatial tasks are used widely in neurobiological studies because it is thought that they provide an unbiased assessment of the integrity of neural structures that mediate spatial learning. For example, in the Morris swimming pool place task, animals are required to locate a hidden platform in a swimming pool in relation to environmental cues. Treatments that result in an animal's failure to find the platform are assumed to reflect defects in the function of neural systems involved in spatial learning. The present study demonstrates, however, that an animal's reinforcement history can contribute to its spatial performance. Animals were trained in the Morris place task with the platform present on 100, 75 or 50% of trials. Relative to the 100% group, the 75% group was impaired in place acquisition, and the 50% group failed to learn. Even placing the 50% group animals onto the platform at the completion of an unsuccessful trial failed to improve acquisition. Animals trained to search for food on an identical dry maze problem were not affected by similar reinforcement schedules. The present findings demonstrate that the Morris swimming pool place task does not provide an unbiased assessment of spatial learning: A treatment effect may be confounded with reinforcement history. The results are discussed in relation to widespread applications of the Morris place task to neurobiological problems.

Analysis of Variance↗

Myofilament overlap in swimming carp. II. Sarcomere length changes during swimming.

This study was performed to determine myofilament overlap during swimming in carp. By using frozen sections, we found that sarcomere lengths of the red and white muscle could be related to the curvature of the backbone. Sarcomere length (SL) during swimming was calculated from an analysis of backbone curvature in high-speed motion pictures. Because carp have the same myofilament lengths as frogs, we related force generation to SL using the frog SL-tension curve. At slow swimming speeds, the red fibers are used at a SL of 1.91-2.22 microns, where force generation is calculated to be no less than 96% maximal. If the red fibers powered the escape response they would have to shorten to 1.45-1.55 microns, where force generation would be reduced to approximately 50% maximal and the fibers damaged. Instead, the white muscle fibers are recruited and because of their helical orientation (resulting in a higher gear ratio), they shorten to only 1.75 microns, where they generate no less than 85% maximal tension. Thus, by recruitment of fiber types with different orientations, the full range of movements is powered by fibers operating at nearly maximal overlap. This suggests that myofilament overlap is an important design constraint of muscular systems.

Actin Cytoskeleton↗

Effect of swimming suit design on the energy demands of swimming.

Eight competitive male swimmers completed a standardized 365.8 m (400 yd) freestyle swimming trial at a fixed pace (approximately 90% of maximal effort) while wearing a torso swim suit (TOR) or a standard racing suit (STD). Oxygen uptake (VO2), blood lactate, heart rate (HR), and distance per stroke (DPS) measurements were obtained. In addition, a video-computer system was used to collect velocity data during a prone underwater glide following a maximal leg push-off from the side of the pool while wearing the TOR and STD suits. These data were used to calculate the total distance covered during the glides. VO2 (3.76 +/- 0.16 vs 3.92 +/- 0.18 l.min-1) and lactate (8.08 +/- 0.53 vs, 9.66 +/- 0.66 mM) were significantly (P < 0.05) lower during the TOR trial than the STD trial. HR was not different (P > 0.05) between the TOR (170.1 +/- 5.1 b.min-1) and STD (173.5 +/- 5.7 b.min-1) trials. DPS was significantly greater during the TOR (2.70 +/- 0.066 m.stroke-1) versus STD (2.58 +/- 0.054 m.stroke-1) trial. A significantly greater total distance was covered during the prone glide while wearing the TOR (2.05 +/- 0.067 m) compared to the STD (2.00 +/- 0.080 m) suit. These findings demonstrate that a specially designed torso suit reduces the energy demand of swimming compared to a standard racing suit which may be due to a reduction in body drag.

Adult↗

"Swimming-induced head twitching" in rats in the forced swimming test induced by overcrowding stress: a new marker in the animal model of depression?

We have used overcrowding stress to study the pathogenesis of depression and the action of antidepressant drugs. In the present study, the influence of overcrowding on behavior was assessed by the forced swimming test. All the stressed rats revealed highly characteristic head twitching movement, which was not inhibited by repeated administration of diazepam and haloperidol, but was markedly suppressed by repeated administration of desipramine and mianserine. A significant positive correlation in the number of twitching episodes in each stressed rat between the first and second forced swimming test was seen. These findings support the use of overcrowding of rats as a stressor in the animal depression model because it fulfills the criteria of the model; face validity, construct validity and predictive validity. We propose the adoption of "swimming head twitching" as a new marker in the animal model of depression.

Animals↗

Trihalomethane concentrations in swimmers' and bath attendants' blood and urine after swimming or working in indoor swimming pools.

The influence of working or swimming in indoor swimming pools on the concentrations of four trihalomethanes (haloforms) in blood and urine was investigated. Different groups (bath attendants, agonistic swimmers, normal swimmers, sampling person) were compared. The proportions of trihalomethanes in blood and urine correlated roughly with those in water and ambient air. Higher levels of physical activity were correlated with higher concentrations. Within one night after exposure in the pool the blood concentrations usually were reduced to the pre-exposure values. Secretion of trichloromethane in urine was found to be less than 10%.

Chlorofluorocarbons, Methane↗