Date of Award

Fall 2017

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Committee Chair

William Spath

First Advisor

John Amtmann

Second Advisor

Amy Kuenzi

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine if there was a correlation between heart rate and swim distance or swim. The ultimate goal was to determine how long or how far a person could swim while wearing labor-wear and a personal flotation device. Additional parameters of age, and ending oxygen saturation were taken to determine if age or O2 saturation could be factors that would be a limitation of swim time or distance. The following questions were answered: “Will there be a significant difference between males and females in any observed measurement?”, “Will there be a correlation between heart rate and distance or time swam?”, “Will age show a correlation to heart rate, distance or time swam, or ending O2 saturation?” Interestingly this study found no statistically significant difference between male and female participants therefore they were analyzed as one group. The two strongest correlations were that of Distance vs. Time (CF=0.583, P=0.001), and Age vs. Ending O2 Saturation (CF=0.540, P=0.004). The first may seem intuitive as with any positive correlation when distance increases so shall time. The second shows a negative correlation that generally as age increased ending O2 saturation had a lower measurement showing greater oxygen consumption in older participants. The take home message from this study is “If you are immersed in water you either need to be able to win the sprint for self-rescue, or need to conserve energy and survive the marathon while waiting for rescuers to arrive”. Keywords:

Comments

A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies

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