Mood and well-being of novice open water swimmers and controls during an introductory outdoor swimming programme: A feasibility study

Background

Anecdotal evidence suggests that outdoor swimming can improve mood. This feasibility study examined the mood and well-being in participants attending an outdoor swimming course.

Methods

Profile of Mood States and Short Warwick–Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale questionnaires were completed by participants on a 10-week introductory outdoor swimming course (61 swimmers) and 22 controls who sat on the beach. Questionnaires were completed before and after three sessions: the first session (pool based), their first outdoor swim (session 4) and their final outdoor swim (session 10).

Results

Swimmers reported acute increases in positive subscales (Esteem and Vigour, P < .001) and reductions in negative subscales (Tension, Anger, Depression, and Confusion and Total Mood Disturbance [TMD], P < .001, d = 1.1–1.7). TMD was also reduced between sessions (P < .001, d = 0.08). Well-being also increased during the course in swimmers (P < .001, d = 3.7) and controls (P = .019, d = 0.2). Greater reductions in TMD (P < .001, d = 0.8–2.5) and increases in well-being were observed in swimmers than controls (P = .034, r = .23).

Conclusions

Novice outdoor swimmers participating in a 10-week introductory outdoor swimming course had acute and chronic reductions in negative mood, increases in well-being and acute increases in positive mood. Controls mood scores fluctuated and were similar at the start and end of the course, whereas well-being scores improved by the final session. Tension scores peaked in both swimmers and controls immediately before the first outdoor swim. Nonetheless the swimmers’ improvement in mood and well-being scores was significantly greater than that of the controls. The nature of the study does not provide mechanistic understanding; there are likely to be a number of explanations (physiological, psychological and sociological) for the changes in mood and well-being in swimmers and controls that can be investigated further.