Yesterday you took your jersey and your towel, head to the ocean. But barely you dipped your feet, a thrill has traveled to you. How can all these people bathe in frozen water? Dr. Gérald Kierzek, medical director of True Medical, sheds light on how we perceive water temperature.
Basic body temperature differences
“Each individual has a slightly different body temperature, generally between 36.1 ° C and 37.2 ° C. A person with a higher basic temperature will feel the water as cooler than a person with a lower temperature”, entrusts Dr. Gérald Kierzek in the preamble.
A different body and metabolisms
“People with more muscular mass produce more metabolic heat and tend to feel less cold. Conversely, those with less subcutaneous mass (which acts as natural insulation) will be more sensitive to temperature changes”, says the medical director of True Medical.
More or less effective blood circulation
“Good peripheral circulation helps keep heat at the ends, while a less effective circulation makes it more sensitive to cold. This is why some people always have cold hands”, underlines the doctor.
A question of acclimatization and habits
“Regular exposure to cold improves thermal tolerance. Swimmers accustomed to fresh waters develop better physiological adaptation, in particular less pronounced vasoconstriction”, reveals the doctor.
Passenger factors
“The state of fatigue, stress, day of day, or even the state of hydration influence thermal perception. A tired or dehydrated person will generally be more cautious. These variations explain why in the same pool, some shivers while others find water perfectly pleasant!”, concludes Dr Gérald Kierzek.