This study investigated 24-hr body temperature and heart rate of women divers, haenyeo. Young and older non-diving females, who have no experience of swimming in cold sea water, were recruited as control groups. Three groups participated in a modified routine protocol: ten females in older haenyeo group, eight in young non-diving female group and eight in older non-diving female group. The fluctuation ranges of the core body temperature were about 1oC in all groups (Older haenyeo: 36.7~37.8oC, Young non-diving female: 36.7~37.6oC, and Older non-diving female: 36.8~37.9oC). There were no significant differences in core temperature among groups except for during exercise and the rest period the following morning (P<0.05). No differences were in mean skin temperature among groups except for the rest period just after cold exposure and exercise (P<0.05). Heart rates in older haenyeo were lower than those of the two groups for all time intervals (P<0.05). Older haenyeos’ lower heart rate during daily lives, as their
unique trait, may reflect their lifelong practice of swimming under the sea. |
