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Here’s a chapter‑style bullet‑point summary of “To swim or not to swim after eating: a randomised controlled crossover feasibility trial” by Harmankaya et al., published in F1000Research (Dec 2023, Vol 12:1593; DOI 10.12688/f1000research.142691.1) (Region Hovedstadens forskningsportal)
🔬 Chapter‑style Summary & Key Quotes
Background & Aims
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Investigates the longstanding belief that swimming immediately after eating is dangerous (due to cramps or increased drowning risk).
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Designed as a feasibility trial to gather preliminary data for a full-scale study, focusing on mortality, mood, discomfort, and adverse events (Region Hovedstadens forskningsportal).
Methods
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Conducted during lunch breaks at a medical-writing course in Turkey, June 2022.
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Crossover design:
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Day 1: participants randomized to swim immediately after lunch or wait 30 minutes.
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Day 2: they switched groups.
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Intervention: 14 meters of breaststroke swimming.
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Outcomes assessed via self-report:
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Profile of Mood States‑Adolescents (POMS-A)
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Visual analogue scale for discomfort
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Adverse event questionnaire (Zenodo, Europe PMC)
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Results
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26 participants completed both conditions.
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No serious events (mortality, drowning, resuscitation, cramps, side stitches) occurred in either condition.
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No significant difference in swimming time (P = 0.53) or mood states between conditions.
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Immediate swim condition showed significantly higher self-reported discomfort versus waiting 30 minutes (P = 0.05) (Region Hovedstadens forskningsportal).
Conclusions
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Preliminary evidence suggests swimming after eating is safe, with no serious adverse outcomes.
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However, swimming immediately may cause greater subjective discomfort.
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Serves as a foundation for planning larger, definitive trials (Region Hovedstadens forskningsportal).
📝 Highlights & Noted Quotations
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“No cases of mortality, drowning, resuscitation, side stitch, or muscle cramps were reported.” — confirming the absence of serious physical risks in both immediate and delayed swim conditions (Region Hovedstadens forskningsportal).
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“More discomfort was reported when swimming immediately instead of 30 minutes after eating lunch (P = 0.05).” — indicating a statistically significant—but subjective—increase in discomfort with immediate post-meal swimming (Region Hovedstadens forskningsportal).
🌍 Context: Broader Scientific & Safety Perspective
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Historical advice to wait before swimming is largely based on tradition—not science.
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For example, longstanding beliefs date back to early 20th-century sources like the Boy Scouts manual from 1911 (HowStuffWorks).
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Major organizations like the International Life Saving Federation and American Red Cross state that no strong evidence links eating before swimming with increased drowning risk or serious cramping (ilsf.org).
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Britannica (June 2025) reinforces that while minor cramps are possible, the danger is exceedingly remote and not linked to timing of meals (britannica.com).
📊 Summary Table
| Aspect | Findings |
|---|---|
| Safety | No serious adverse events in either condition |
| Performance | Swimming speed unaffected by immediate vs. delayed timing (P = 0.53) |
| Mood | No significant differences between conditions |
| Discomfort | Higher self-reported discomfort when swimming immediately after eating |
| Study Type | Small-scale feasibility crossover (n = 26); not powered for rare events |
✅ Final Takeaway
Swimming shortly after eating appears to be safe in terms of serious risk, but may lead to increased subjective discomfort if undertaken immediately. This feasibility trial provides useful groundwork for more comprehensive investigations.
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