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Int J Sports Med 2015; 36(04): 297-301
DOI: 10.1055/s-0034-1389969
Physiology & Biochemistry
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Cardiovascular Responses during Free-Diving in the Sea

E. Marongiu
1   Medical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
,
A. Crisafulli
2   Science Applied to Biological Systems, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
,
G. Ghiani
1   Medical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
,
S. Olla
1   Medical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
,
S. Roberto
3   University of Cagliari, Clinical Sciences, Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
,
M. Pinna
4   CONI, Italian Regional Olympic Committee, Cagliari, Italy
,
M. Pusceddu
1   Medical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
,
G. Palazzolo
1   Medical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
,
I. Sanna
1   Medical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
,
A. Concu
5   Physiology, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
,
F. Tocco
1   Medical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History



accepted after revision 01 August 2014

Publication Date:
27 November 2014 (online)

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Abstract

Cardiac output has never been assessed during free-diving diving in the sea. Knowledge of human diving response in this setting is therefore scarce. 3 immersions were performed by 7 divers: at depths of 10 m, 20 m and 30 m. Each test consisted of 3 apnea phases: descent, static and ascent. An impedance cardiograph provided data on stroke volume, heart rate and cardiac output. Mean blood pressure, arterial O2 saturation and blood lactate values were also collected. Starting from a resting value of 4.5±1.6 L∙min−1, cardiac output at 10 m showed an increase up to 7.1±2.2 L∙min−1 (p<0.01) during the descent, while conditions during the static and ascent phases remained unchanged. At 20 m cardiac output values were 7.3±2.4 L∙min−1 and 6.7±1.2 L∙min−1 during ascent and descent, respectively (p<0.01), and 4.3±0.9 L∙min−1 during static phase. At 30 m cardiac output values were 6.5±1.8 L∙min−1 and 7.5±2 L∙min−1 during descent and ascent, respectively (p<0.01), and 4.7±2.1 L∙min−1 during static phase. Arterial O2 saturation decreased with increasing dive depth, reaching 91.1±3.4% (p<0.001 vs. rest) upon emergence from a depth of 30 m. Blood lactate values increased to 4.1±1.2 mmol∙L−1 at the end of the 30 m dive (p<0.001 vs. rest). Results seem to suggest that simultaneous activation of exercise and diving response could lead to an absence of cardiac output reduction aimed at an oxygen-conserving effect.

Key words

impedance cardiography - cardiac output - exercise - diving response
 

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