Biochemical and hematologic profiles of 1000 submariners

Control biochemical and hematologic data were gathered for 1017 healthy submariners who ranged in age from 19.5 to 43.5 years. Means, standard deviation, and frequency distribution are presented for 24 whole blood and serum variables and, where appropriate, for 11 urinary variables. After statistical separation of the effects of aging and length of submarine service, it has been determined that the following correlations were significant in this sample: neutrophil and leucocyte levels, serum cholesterol, and both fasting and postprandial glucose correlated positively with age; serum alkaline phosphatase levels and age correlated negatively. Age-corrected positive correlations were demonstrable between length of submarine service and both serum cholesterol content and alkaline phosphatase activity; after a loading test, glucose levels showed a negative relationship to length of submarine service. Split-sample correlation analyses verified these significant correlations, with the exception of the apparent rise in alkaline phosphatase activity with increasing length of submarine duty.