Latest news with #MikeTipton
Yahoo
a day ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Is it true that … cold water plunges boost immunity?
'It's a long-held belief that taking to the waters is good for your health,' says Mike Tipton, a professor of human and applied physiology at the University of Portsmouth. From Roman frigidariums to Thomas Jefferson's foot baths, cold immersion has long been seen as curative. But does modern science support the idea that it boosts immunity? The answer: it's complicated. While cold water immersion does activate the body, that's not the same as strengthening the immune system. 'When you immerse yourself in cold water, your body undergoes the cold shock response,' says Tipton. 'You get rapid breathing, a spike in heart rate and a surge of stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol.' This may explain why people feel more alert or energised after a cold dip. But does it mean you're less likely to get sick? Many studies into the effects focus on immune cell activity in the blood – which can increase after cold exposure – but that doesn't always translate into fewer infections. 'It's easy to cherry-pick results,' says Tipton. He points to a frequently quoted Dutch study in which people who ended their daily hot showers with at least 30 seconds under cold water took 29% fewer sick days. While it's often used as an example of the powers of cold plunges, those participants actually reported the same number of infections as those who didn't have a cold shower. 'That might reflect increased resilience or just a willingness to push through because of being part of a study,' says Tipton, rather than better immunity. It may also be that regular cold plungers simply have a healthier lifestyle overall. A recent study by Tipton's team found that indoor and outdoor swimmers had fewer respiratory infections than non-swimmers, suggesting it may be the exercise, not the cold, doing the work. One thing is clear: too much cold is harmful. 'If your core temperature drops too far, it can suppress the immune system,' he says. His advice? Keep it short – no more than 90 seconds.
The Guardian
a day ago
- Health
- The Guardian
Is it true that … cold water plunges boost immunity?
'It's a long-held belief that taking to the waters is good for your health,' says Mike Tipton, a professor of human and applied physiology at the University of Portsmouth. From Roman frigidariums to Thomas Jefferson's foot baths, cold immersion has long been seen as curative. But does modern science support the idea that it boosts immunity? The answer: it's complicated. While cold water immersion does activate the body, that's not the same as strengthening the immune system. 'When you immerse yourself in cold water, your body undergoes the cold shock response,' says Tipton. 'You get rapid breathing, a spike in heart rate and a surge of stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol.' This may explain why people feel more alert or energised after a cold dip. But does it mean you're less likely to get sick? Many studies into the effects focus on immune cell activity in the blood – which can increase after cold exposure – but that doesn't always translate into fewer infections. 'It's easy to cherry-pick results,' says Tipton. He points to a frequently quoted Dutch study in which people who ended their daily hot showers with at least 30 seconds under cold water took 29% fewer sick days. While it's often used as an example of the powers of cold plunges, those participants actually reported the same number of infections as those who didn't have a cold shower. 'That might reflect increased resilience or just a willingness to push through because of being part of a study,' says Tipton, rather than better immunity. It may also be that regular cold plungers simply have a healthier lifestyle overall. A recent study by Tipton's team found that indoor and outdoor swimmers had fewer respiratory infections than non-swimmers, suggesting it may be the exercise, not the cold, doing the work. Sign up to Inside Saturday The only way to get a look behind the scenes of the Saturday magazine. Sign up to get the inside story from our top writers as well as all the must-read articles and columns, delivered to your inbox every weekend. after newsletter promotion One thing is clear: too much cold is harmful. 'If your core temperature drops too far, it can suppress the immune system,' he says. His advice? Keep it short – no more than 90 seconds.
BBC News
29-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Devon swimmers warned about dangers of cold water shock
Swimmers in Devon have been warned about the dangers of open water swimming, including cold water 200 people died from accidental drownings in the UK last year, with 28 in May alone, according to the National Water Safety Forum (NWSF).The NWSF said cold water shock was "the body's response to sudden immersion in cold water, leading to an involuntary gasp, rapid breathing and temporary loss of swimming ability".Mike Tipton, the organisation's chairman, said new swimmers should make sure they were "fit and healthy enough" to do open water swimming and go with a "recognised group in a safe location". Mr Tipton, who told BBC Devon somebody "died around water every other day... [a] really sobering number", said people sometimes forgot sensible precautions, such as limiting swims to 10 minutes, going in gradually and swimming parallel to the said the drop in temperature could increase the heart rate and cause a gasp which could allow sea water into the mouth and start the drowning added that said the initial shock passed within 30 to 90 seconds, so entering the water gradually could reduce the NWSF said drownings often rose when air temperatures increased, with unseasonably high temperatures in May over the past few years causing a spike in the air temperature got hotter, open water temperatures often stayed much colder, it below 16C (60.8F) was considered dangerous for cold water shock, the NWSF inland waters stayed below this temperature all year and sea temperatures are also likely to be colder this time of year. Drownings: The figures 61% of deaths happened in inland waterways (rivers, canals, lakes, reservoirs and quarries)84% were maleThe worst months in 2024 were May (28 people), August (25) and July (21)37% of people who died never meant to enter the water and were doing every activities such as walking and running and fell in136 accidental drownings were in England, 33 in Scotland, 18 in Wales and six in Northern Ireland 'Call, tell, throw' The NWSF's safety campaign, Respect the Water, offers advice on what do if someone is seen struggling in the water:Call 999 to get helpTell the struggling person to float on their backThrow them something that floats, such as a life ring, inflatable toy or bottleIf anyone is in the water and suffers cold water shock, they should:Tilt their head back with their ears submergedTry to relax and breathe normally while they moved their hands to help stay afloatOnce the effects of the cold water shock passed, shout for help or swim to safety if they could
