MSc by Research Student

Course Start: October 2018

Supervisor: Dr Joanna Richards
Supervisor 2: Dr Louise Croft

Working thesis title

The effects of water immersion in different body postures on the cardiovascular system in healthy male participants.

Abstract

Water immersion can encourage favourable adaptations within the cardiovascular system due to the hydrostatic pressure the water has on the body. This hydrostatic pressure stimulates a cephalad shift in blood from the extremities to the thoracic cavity approximately 700ml, with three-quarters in the pulmonary circulation and one-quarter in the heart (Lange et al., 1974). Consequently, resulting in adaptations such as an increase in central venous pressure and heart volume (Arborelius et al., 1972; Schmid et al., 2006). This is turn increases cardiac index, ejection fraction, endothelial cell function, heat size and stroke volume, cardiac output, left ventricle end systolic and diastolic volumes, while decreasing, heart rate and systolic and diastolic blood pressure (Christie et al., 1990; Cidre et al., 2006; Schmid et al., 2006; Ayme et al., 2013). These variables improve because the hydrostatic pressure stimulates a dilation of the left cardiac cavities displaying myocardial wall stretching, leading to an improvement in ventricular diastolic filling, and in turn increasing cardiac preload, stroke volumes, ejection fraction, cardiac output, end diastolic and systolic volumes (Sheldahl et al., 1984; Epstien et al., 1989; Ayme et al., 2013). Allowing the heart to decrease its work rate while maintaining the demand for blood and improving the effectiveness of the hearts ability to pump blood. These elements are vital as they all contribute to overall cardiovascular health, therefore promoting favourable cardiac modifications and ultimately minimising the chance of coronary heart disease (World Health Organization, 2005). As a result of reporting a wide range of variables this study has the potential to demonstrate where the improvement lies, whether that be an increase in systolic contraction or better diastolic filling that leads to these improvements in the cardiovascular system.

Research questions

• The effects of water immersion in different body postures on the cardiovascular in healthy male participants.

About Me

After graduating with a First-Class Honour Degree in Sport and Physical Education in July 2018, I decided to continue my academic journey through a MSc by research, to further my knowledge and contribute to the ever-growing research. I made this decision because I enjoyed by dissertation project, which focused on the effects on carbohydrate mouth rinse on repeated sprint performance in female football players. I took the decision to branch out and focus on the cardiovascular system due to the growing number of cardiovascular mortalities worldwide. I felt that this was important and wanted to contribute to the much-needed research.

Contact Information

M: 07885914139
E: natasha.fisher@study.beds.ac.uk
Twitter: @natashawing8