An Investigation of Exposure Parameters of Children Swimmers in an Indoor Swimming Pool in Beijing

Objective To investigate the children swimmers in an indoor swimming pool in Beijing, and to obtain the exposure parameters of swimming-related behavior patterns of the children.

Methods A randomized investigation was performed in the children swimmers (aged 6 to 17 years) in the swimming pool using a questionnaire. The exposure parameters of the children swimmers were statistically analyzed according to age groups (6 to < 9 years, 9 to < 12 years, 12 to < 15 years, and 15 to < 18 years) and gender.

Results A total of 402 children swimmers (248 males and 154 females) were investigated. The mean body weight, height, years of swimming, swimming frequency, swimming time, shower time, clothes changing time, warming-up exercise and rest time, and water ingestion during swimming were 40.46 kg, 148.66 cm, 2 a, 4 sessions/month, 59 min/session, 15 min/session, 11 min/session, 10 min/session, and 40.5 mL/session, respectively. Compared with male swimmers, female swimmers had a significantly reduced swimming frequency but significantly longer clothes changing and showering times (P < 0.05). There were significant differences between different age groups in years of swimming, swimming frequency, and swimming time (P < 0.05).

Conclusion The exposure parameters of children swimmers vary with age and gender. The risks of exposure to different behavior patterns should be comprehensively considered in health risk assessment.