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Pulmonary function of recreational divers: a cross sectional study
F Lemaître1, M Bedu, J Coudert
1Laboratoire de Physiologie - Biologie du Sport, Faculté de Médecine, Université d'Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand Cedex, France.
International Journal of Sports Medicine
|May 17, 2002
Summary
Recreational diving shows no adverse respiratory effects in young individuals. Adult divers exhibit altered breathing patterns and increased inspiratory pressures, but no airway obstruction.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Sports Medicine
- Diving Physiology
Background:
- Professional divers may develop small-airway disease.
- Recreational diving's long-term respiratory effects, especially in youth, require investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate pulmonary function and breathing patterns in recreational air divers.
- To compare lung function between young and adult divers and matched controls.
Main Methods:
- Pulmonary function tests (lung volumes, flows, transfer factor for carbon monoxide (T(Lco)), maximal static pressures) were performed.
- Carbon dioxide (CO2) rebreathing tests assessed breathing patterns.
- 84 recreational air divers (8-38 years) and 89 controls (8-34 years) participated.
Main Results:
- No significant lung function differences were found in children and adolescents.
- Adult divers showed decreased T(Lco) (absolute values) and increased maximal inspiratory pressures.
- Adult divers had lower resting respiratory frequency and a higher CO2 threshold compared to controls.
Conclusions:
- Young recreational divers demonstrated no airway obstruction or reduced lung function.
- Adult recreational divers exhibited physiological adaptations in breathing patterns and respiratory muscle strength, not indicative of disease.