National Swimming Pool Foundation® Invests in Hot Tub Industry to Fund Hot Tub Immersion Study
Will match pledges from twelve industry leaders
Colorado Springs, CO, April 4, 2006. The National Swimming Pool Foundation® announced today that its board of directors has unanimously approved matching funds to those donated to NSPF® to focus on hot tub immersion health benefit research. If the 2007 and 2008 studies show the benefits, more people will consider a hot tub an important way for their families to live healthier lives.
“There was clear excitement when I reported the commitment that each of these generous companies have made to help support our shared vision,” reports Thomas M. Lachocki, Ph.D., CEO of the NSPF®. The board voted to match dollar-for-dollar the pledged commitments made by twelve leading organizations who expressed enthusiastic support of the study and came forward to pledge $80,500 per year for two years, for a total of $161,000.
“The NSPF® board is very supportive and interested in encouraging more people to get in the water,” says Cory Willis, chairman of the NSPF® Grant Review Committee. “In addition, they clearly see the need for and advocate demonstrating health benefits through unbiased and exceptional independent research,” Willis adds. Proceeds from its educational products like the CPO® and CPI™ programs and the Aquatic Safety Compendium™ are reinvested in research grants, graduate research fellowships, and educational programs. “The NSPF® funding for the hot tub immersion study will come directly from this NSPF® revenue source,” explains Lachocki. “Whenever someone buys a CPO® handbook or a Certified Pool-Spa Inspector™ CD, they learn how to prevent injury and illness and they know that their investment also funds research that creates a more healthy and prosperous future,” he concludes.
Pledges have been received from the following industry leaders: Aqua-Flo, LLC; Aristech Acrylics, LLC; Athletic Business Publications, Inc., (AQUA’s parent company); Dimension One Spas, Inc.; King Technology, Inc.; Lucite International, Inc.; Marquis Corporation; Master Spas; Olympic Hot Tub Company; Sundance Spas, Inc. and Jacuzzi Hot Tubs; Vita International; and Watkins Manufacturing. “A commitment in our action and conviction in our hearts yields moments like these where we can have confidence in our future. I feel taller today knowing we stand beside these great companies,” states Lachocki.
Scientific publications suggest that immersion and/or exercise in water may benefit cardiac, circulatory, respiratory, and other systems in the human body as well as aid in stress reduction. The higher water temperature found in therapy pools and hot tubs may improve certain physiological health effects. Dr. Bruce Becker of Washington State University, the principal investigator for the NSPF® study, will teach about the historic science in his keynote address at the NSPF® sponsored World Aquatic Health™ Conference in Austin, Texas, September 19 - 21, 2006. “With the aging and deconditioning of the massive baby boom generation, there will be a growing interest in the cardio and other therapeutic benefits of hot water, resulting in a growing role for the hot water industry in our society. Health benefit studies of this type are very important in establishing that role and promoting growth for spa businesses,” adds Peter Brown, an NSPF® board member, a donor to this research, and president of Athletic Business Publications, Inc.
The newly funded hot tub studies will be carried out in 2007 and 2008. They will focus on an array of measures including pulmonary function tests, resting metabolic rate, respiratory exchange ratios, percentage body fat, and cardiac tests including blood pressure changes, heart rate, and heart rate variability. In addition, the scientists are interested in learning how warm water immersion affects hormone production that helps the body recover from stress (parasympathetic response) and possibly brain-function changes via electroencephalogram (EEG).”Understanding the physiological responses of warm/hot water immersion may help the hot tub industry create influential benefit messages,” says Dr. Becker.
In 2005, an NSPF® grant of $247,000 established a research center at Washington State University under the direction of Drs. Bruce Becker and Susan Borjesson, with equipment to measure several health functions. These scientists have initiated a year-long research project to explore the unique health benefits of deep water (shoulder depth) exercise. The results of that project will also be revealed at the upcoming NSPF® sponsored World Aquatic Health™ Conference.
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