Abstract
Artistic swimmers (AS) are exposed to repeated apnoeas in the aquatic environment
during high intensity exercise provoking specific physiological responses to
training, apnoea, and immersion. This study aimed to evaluate the changes in
lung diffusing capacity in AS pre-, mid- and post-training in a combined session
of apnoeic swimming, figures and choreography. Eleven elite female AS from the
Spanish national team were the study’s participants. The single-breath
method was used to measure lung diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide
(DLCO) and one-way repeated measures ANOVA was utilized to
evaluate the statistical analysis. Basal values of DLCO were higher
than normal for their age and height
(33.6±4.9 mL·min−1·mmHg−1;
139±19%) and there were a significant interaction between
DLCO and AS training (ŋ2
p=0.547). After the apnoeic swimming (mid-training) there was
an increase in DLCO from basal to
36.7±7.3 mL·min−1·mmHg−1
(p=0.021), and after the figures and choreography (post-training) there
was a decrease compared to mid-training
(32.3±4.6 mL·min−1·mmHg−1,
p=0.013). Lung diffusing capacity changes occur during AS training,
including a large increase after apnoeic swimming. There were no differences in
lung diffusing capacity from pre- to post-training, although large
inter-individual variability was observed.
Key words
diffusing capacity - lung diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) - artistic swimming - synchronized swimming - swimming-induced pulmonary oedema (SIPO)
