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Assessment of sensory sensitivity through critical flicker fusion frequency thresholds after a maximum voluntary
Francisco de Asís Fernández1,2, Fernando González-Mohino3, José M González-Ravé4
1Corresponding author: Dr Francisco de Asís Fernández, Departament of Health, Centro Superior de Estudios Universitarios La Salle. Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Spain, frandeasis@lasallecampus.es.
Introduction:
The influence of acute exercise on sensory sensitivity (SS) differs according to the type and duration of exercise performed. In the present study, we assessed changes on SS soon after a maximal dynamic apnoea.
Methods:
Thirty-nine experienced male breath-hold divers were recruited. Critical flicker fusion frequency (CFFF) thresholds were used to measure SS. Thresholds were determined before and after a maximal dynamic apnoea. Immediately after surfacing, heart rate and oxygen saturation (SpO2) were recorded for two minutes.
Results:
After maximal dynamic apnoea, SpO2 was significantly decreased (from mean 97.3% pre-dive to mean 63.1% post-dive; P < 0.0001; η2 P = 0.86), but this acute hypoxaemia did not trigger changes in SS (post-dive value 102% of baseline; P = 0.22; η2 P = 0.03). Pearson correlation analysis revealed a moderate association between SS with swimming speed (r = 0.423) and apnoea time (r = -0.404).
Conclusions:
A maximal dynamic apnoea did not produce changes in central nervous system fatigue or cortical arousal. We found no relationship between the hypoxaemia level reached after a maximal apnoea and changes in the CFFF thresholds. This study suggests that the time of exposure to hypoxia during a maximal voluntary apnoea is not enough to produce changes in SS.
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