2019, Volume 11, Issue 1

The effect of breath-hold diving on selected adaptive mechanisms in the circulatory-respiratory system in simulated static and dynamic apnoea

Magdalena Solich-Talanda¹, Rafał Mikołajczyk¹, Robert Roczniok², Aleksandra Żebrowska<sup>1

1</sup>Department of Physiological and Medical Sciences, The Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education in Katowice
²Department of Sports Theory, The Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education in Katowice


Author for correspondence: Aleksandra Żebrowska; Department of Physiological and Medical Sciences, The Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education in Katowice; email: a.zebrowska@awf.katowice.pl

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Abstract

Background:  ‪Current research results indicate high adaptation of an organism to long-term apnoea. Breathing techniques allow increasing the volume of the inhaled air and thus prolong the breath-hold time at rest and during physical effort. The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of breath-hold on adaptations of the respiratory and circulatory systems and cardiopulmonary-respiratory reactions at rest and during physical effort in persons practising freediving. 

Material and methods:  ‪The study involved 17 athletes practising breath-hold diving, at the mean age of 38.4 ±8.4 years. Spirometry tests to evaluate static and dynamic lung indicators were conducted. The heart rate (HR), oxygen saturation (SpO2), and the apnoea time in three breath-hold trials were measured: static dry STA-D, static with face immersed in water STA-I and dynamic (DYN-D).

Results:  ‪The values of spirometry indicators were higher than the normal values at the appropriate peak expiratory flow (91.6 ± 27.2%). A significant effect of breath-hold on the HR was demonstrated in the STA-D test (W = 0.43, at p < 0.05) and STA-I (W = 0.51, at p < 0.05). The mean breath-hold time was significantly lower in the dynamic trial DYN-D vs STA-D (p < 0.001) and in STA-D Ex vs STA-I (P < 0.001). Higher mean values of SpO2 were shown in DYN-D in comparison to STA-D (p < 0.05). 

Conclusions:  ‪The results of this study indicate that breath-hold training beneficially affects adaptation of the circulatory system, causing strong bradycardia and lower tolerance in response to prolonged apnoea during physical effort. 

Key words: freediving, spirometry, heart rate, apnoea, exercise