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Lung function over the first 3 years of a professional diving career
M Skogstad1, E Thorsen, T Haldorsen
1National Institute of Occupational Health, PO Box 8149, N-0033 Oslo, Norway. Marit.Skogstad@stami.no
Occupational and Environmental Medicine
|May 16, 2000
Summary
Professional divers show initial lung function above average. Three years of diving may lead to reduced lung function, particularly affecting small airways, though cumulative exposure showed no significant impact.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Diving Physiology
Background:
- Professional divers undergo rigorous training and exposure to unique environmental stressors.
- Pulmonary function is critical for diver safety and performance.
- Long-term effects of professional diving on lung health require characterization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess diving exposure and pulmonary function in professional divers.
- To track changes in lung function during the initial 3 years of a professional diving career.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study of 87 male trainee divers.
- Pulmonary function tests including dynamic lung volumes, flows, and carbon monoxide transfer factor (Tl(CO)).
- Follow-up assessments at 1 and 3 years post-training.
Main Results:
- Divers exhibited significantly larger than predicted Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) at baseline.
- A 3-year follow-up revealed significant reductions in Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second (FEV(1)), FEF(25-75%), and FEF(75%).
- Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) remained unchanged, while Tl(CO) decreased by 4.6%.
Conclusions:
- Professional divers represent a selected group with initially enhanced lung volumes.
- Diving exposure appears to contribute to pulmonary function changes, primarily impacting small airways.
- No direct correlation was found between cumulative dive exposure and the observed pulmonary function changes.