Pulmonary Function, Diving Response, and Spleen Dynamics in Competitive Artistic Swimmers

This study investigated pulmonary function, spleen contraction, and the diving response during dry apnea in female artistic swimmers, considering competition category and performance scores.

Twelve competitive swimmers were divided into 2 groups according to competitive category: Comen (CO; n = 6, 14.5 [0.8] y old) and Junior/Senior (JS; n = 6, 18.5 [3] y old). Before the National Championships, swimmers performed 3 maximal static dry apneas with 2-minute intervals. Lung volumes and flow rates were assessed via static and forced spirometry. Spleen volume (in milliliters) was measured every minute from 3 minutes before to 5 minutes after apnea, and hemoglobin concentration (in grams per liter) was determined preseries and postseries. Heart rate (in beats per minute), perfusion index (in percentage), and peripheral oxygen saturation (in percentage) were continuously recorded.

The JS group showed higher forced vital capacity (P = .026), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (P = .010), peak expiratory flow (P = .004), and mid-expiratory flow (P = .009) than CO. Both groups showed significant heart rate reduction during apnea (bradycardia, P = .0043) and concomitant reductions in peripheral oxygen saturation (P = .0006) and perfusion index (P < .0001). Both groups exhibited significant spleen contraction (-39.1 [22.1] mL, P < .001) with full postapnea recovery, while hemoglobin concentration remained unchanged. Competition scores correlated positively with maximal apnea in JS (ρ = .866, P = .033), and with training hours in CO (ρ = .812, P = .0499).

The diving response and spleen dynamics were characterized by marked bradycardia, peripheral oxygen desaturation, and significant spleen contraction in all swimmers. Longer apnea duration was linked to higher performance in experienced athletes, whereas in younger swimmers, performance showed a positive relationship with training volume.