The Influence of Body Temperature on Performances in Swimming1

The effects of the higher body temperature on performances in swimming have been investigated. The experiments showed that: A given distance could be swum in a shorter time when the organism was warmed previously. Both – active warming by preliminary work and passive warming by hot baths, radio diathermy and turkish baths – had the same beneficial effect. The increased rectal, i. e. blood temperature, before swimming seemed to be more essential for improved results than the increased muscle temperature. The duration of the influence of warming was at least 60–80 minutes. It is quite probable that the beneficial effect of higher body temperature is due to the increase in the velocity of reactions.