Effects of sex differences on breath-hold diving performance

Area of Science:

• Physiology
• Human Performance
• Diving Medicine

Background:

• Breath-hold diving (BHD) performance is influenced by physiological factors.
• Understanding the interplay between diving response, CO2 sensitivity, and lung capacity is crucial for BHD athletes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantify diving response, CO2 sensitivity, and forced vital capacity (FVC) in male and female BHDs.
• To ascertain the impact of these physiological parameters on breath-hold diving performance.

Main Methods:

• Study involved 15 BHDs (7 males, 8 females) and 8 non-divers (NDs, 4 males, 4 females).
• Diving response measured during breath-holding with facial immersion in NDs.
• CO2 sensitivity assessed in BHDs alongside diving response and FVC.

Main Results:

• BHDs demonstrated a more pronounced diving response compared to NDs.
• No significant sex-based differences were found in diving response or CO2 sensitivity among BHDs.
• A positive correlation was observed between % FVC and BHD performance.

Conclusions:

• % FVC is a more significant determinant of BHD performance than diving response or CO2 sensitivity.
• The superior performance of male divers may be attributed to higher % FVC, not necessarily enhanced diving response or CO2 sensitivity.