de Lima, F. D., Mota, M. R., do Nascimento, M. G., Carvalho, M. M., de Oliveira, R. J., & Dantas, R. A. (2014). Behavior of blood pressure after swimming competition. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 46(5), Supplement abstract number 3507.

This study analyzed the behavior of blood pressure after a swimming competition. Swimmers, (M = ; F = 5; mean age 17.87 ± 1.81 years) participated in a competition held by the Brazilian Confederation of Aquatic Sports in a 50-meter pool, racing between two and four individual events chosen according to the physical capacity and performance characteristics of every swimmer. The competition races included 50, 100, 200 and 400 m freestyle, 100 and 200 m butterfly, 100 and 200 m backstroke, 100 and 200 m breaststroke, and 200 m medley. Blood pressure measurement was carried out at rest and immediately after each event.

There was a significant increase compared to rest in systolic blood pressure after all swims, and for 100 m, relative to the other distances. Only for the 100 m was there a significant difference in diastolic blood pressure compared to all other distances. Mean blood pressure increased significantly compared to rest over distances of 50, 100 and 200 m. Blood pressures for 100 m were different to those of the other distances. All styles (freestyle, butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, and medley) showed significant changes in systolic blood pressure. Only butterfly swimming caused a significant increase in diastolic blood pressure.

Implication. Competitive swims raise systolic blood pressure. Events of 100 m provoke greater cardiovascular stress than the other distances of swimming. Only butterfly swimming elevated diastolic blood pressure.

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