3/3 Key findings: Swimmers with higher body fat seemed more protected against temperature drops. Also, starting with a warmer body temperature linked to a higher minimum temperature during the swim. This helps us better understand risks in open water swimming! www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....

2/3 Our study revealed three phases: 1) Initial Rise in body temp, 2) a Plateau, then 3) Thermal Decompensation (temperature drop). Importantly, colder water led to this drop happening sooner. In water between 8.4°C & 15°C, the average time to decompensation was around 20 minutes. #Hypothermia

4/4 - This emphasizes the need for further research to develop effective strategies for mitigating the impact of cold water immersion on dexterity. My PhD can be found here: www.duo.uio.no/handle/10852...

3/4 - Decreased dexterity can have serious consequences for both performance and safety. Imagine struggling to make quick gear transitions in a triathlon or operate critical equipment during a military operation – all because your hands are numb from the cold.

2(4 - In one study, Norwegian Naval Special Forces recruits saw their dexterity plummet by 249% after a 10,000-meter swim in 5°C water. Even with dry suits and 5mm neoprene gloves. This highlights the challenges in maintaining hand function during cold water exposure, even with protective gear.

2/2 Key takeaway: The race caused temporary changes in substances that help blood vessels relax, suggesting potential impacts on blood vessel function after extreme endurance events. More research is needed to understand long-term effects