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Physiological stress markers during breath-hold diving and SCUBA diving
Marion Marlinge1,2, Mathieu Coulange1,3, Richard C Fitzpatrick4
1C2VN, INSERM, INRA, Aix-Marseille Université (AMU), Marseille, France.
Physiological Reports
|March 27, 2019
Summary
Hypoxia during apnea, not pressure or cold, significantly elevates stress hormones and cardiac markers. Divers should be screened for cardiac conditions before apnea, as it poses greater physiological stress.
Area of Science:
- Physiology
- Diving Medicine
- Stress Response
Background:
- Diving involves multiple stressors including hydrostatic pressure, cold, hypoxia, and hyperoxia.
- The relative contribution of each stressor to physiological strain is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the physiological stress responses to SCUBA diving, apneic diving, and dry static apnea.
- To identify the primary triggers of stress hormone release and cardiac/muscular strain in different diving conditions.
Main Methods:
- Blood samples analyzed for stress hormones (cortisol, copeptin), cardiac markers (troponin, BNP), muscular markers (myoglobin), and hypoxemia marker (IMA).
- Measurements taken before and after SCUBA dives, apneic dives, and maximal static dry apnea in divers.
Main Results:
- Apneic and dry static apnea increased copeptin, cortisol, and IMA; SCUBA dives decreased these markers.
- Cardiac and muscular markers elevated after apneic dives but remained unchanged after SCUBA dives and dry static apnea.
- Hypoxia emerged as the dominant factor triggering stress hormones and cardiac markers.
Conclusions:
- Hypoxia, not hydrostatic pressure or cold, is the primary driver of physiological stress and cardiac strain during apnea.
- Pre-dive screening for cardiac conditions is crucial for individuals engaging in significant apneic activities.
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