Distance Swimming-Peytyn Hickey

What is the total calorie intake of swimmers?

• 2000 calories

• 6000 calories

• 10,000 calories

Answer explanation

Incorrect 

2000 calories per day is the average number for a normal, non active adult to consume. It is not enough for the intense activity. 

Incorrect

6000 calories is a lot of food but because they are so active, the active metabolism is generally faster. The more they burn, the more they need to replenish.

Correct

Distance (and competitive) swimmers need on average 10,000 calories a day. They need more food than the calories they burn to maintain a healthy weight and fuel muscle recovery.

What is the impact of increasing the carrying capacity of environments to supply the demands of food intake?

• Over consumption worsens climate breakdown and increases air pollution. 

• It exhaust animal, plant(land), and water systems 

• Nothing! It creates more food to meet everyone’s demands and there are no negative effects on the environment.   

• Both A and B

Answer explanation

Overconsumption worsens the climate by exhausting plant’s life support like the ones that provide us with fresh water and healthy animals. Because of this, the environment is left with a lack of materials that are critical to our health and quality of life. 

How does bad nutrition choices affect swimmers?

• Deplete the swimmer’s glycogen levels.

• Gives the swimmer a lot of energy because of their bad sugar and carb intake

• Prevents malnutrition

Answer explanation

Correct

Distance swimming relies heavily on carbohydrates to fuel working muscles. Glycogen is the major source of energy derived from consuming carbohydrates. 

Incorrect

It does not give the swimmer the correct amount of energy needed to swim because they are consuming simple carbohydrates.

Incorrect

Bad nutrition choices cause malnutrition, lack of energy, and other health problems, some extremely serious. 

Which macro-molecule do swimmer’s focus on the most when fueling their bodies?

• Healthy fats

• Carbohydrates

• Proteins

Answer explanation

Incorrect 

Healthy fats are important to a swimmer’s diet as well but the energy from healthy fats are used to extend endurance. Extended endurance can be improved by training the body and working out. 

Correct 

Distance swimming relies heavily on carbohydrates to fuel working muscles. Intense training reduced the amount of glycogen, a form of glucose (a main source of energy). Glycogen is derived from consuming carbohydrates. When glycogen, or energy levels, drop, performance levels drop. 

Incorrect

If swimmers focus on protein over carbohydrates then there will be a deficiency of carbohydrates which are the most important to a swimmer’s diet. 

How do swimmers’ become dehydrated?

• They do not because their cells absorb the water they are swimming in.

• Long periods of exercise and an increase of body temperature. 

• They are losing more fluids than they are taking in. 

Answer explanation

Incorrect

Human bodies do not absorb water while swimming.

Correct

The combination of humidity and long periods of physical exercise causes the swimmer's body temperature and heart rate to increase which makes them lose electrolytes quicker.  

Incorrect

They are losing fluids but they have nourished their bodies as much as possible prior to their swim. Severe dehydration is also affected by malnourishment and competitive distance swimmers maintain a healthy diet.

How does a distance swimmer’s body maintain homeostasis while facing hyperthermia?

• They use special high tech body suits that regulate their body temperature. 

• Blood vessels compress to store needed heat. 

• They sweat to induce evaporative cooling. 

Answer explanation

Incorrect 

They do not have body suits that regulate their body temperature.

Correct 

Their bodies grasp at anything to help maintain homeostasis during their swim. Their blood vessels constrict to contain any heat in the body. 

Incorrect

Sweating quickens the loss of heat, it does not contain it. 

How are the body’s systems able to stay in balance with the impacts of hyperthermia?

• Cells diffuse ions and molecules and organisms have multiple systems working together inside the body. 

• The circulatory system circulates blood and the pulmonary circulation allows the blood to become oxygenated. 

• sharing the work of regulating balances of nutrients and other physiological values.

Answer explanation

Incorrect 

This is an overview of how the body in general maintains homeostasis but it is not the answer to how the organism’s systems work together inside the body. Cells work together to maintain homeostasis by diffusing ions and molecules. 

Incorrect

All of the system’s have to work together and have to contribute something into maintaining homeostasis. 

Correct 

Each of your body systems relies on the others to work well.

How do swimmers train their bodies to swim in cold waters for long periods of time?

• Simply swim in it 3-4 days a week, each day progressively decreasing the temperature of the water and extending how long you swim in it. 

• Ice baths 

• Swimming without a body suit. 

Answer explanation

Correct

A long, cold swim takes time and training to be able to do. Gradually progressing the temperature of the water each time you swim and increasing the time you are swimming each training session is how swimmers acclimate their bodies to be able to swim for long periods of time in cold water. 

Incorrect 

Ice baths are a great way to treat aching muscles and a great way to recover from intense training.

 Open water distance swimmers are not allowed to wear a wet suit to protect against the cold, in general.