Int J Sports Med 2006; 27(11): 875-879
DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-923861
Physiology & Biochemistry

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Ventilatory Function in Experienced Recreational Scuba Divers: Evidence of Small Airways Disease?

F. Lemaître1 , C. Tourny-Chollet1 , M.-C. Lemouton2
  • 1Centre d'Etudes des Transformations des Activités Physiques et Sportives, Equipe d'Accueil UPRES N° 3832. Faculté des Sciences du Sport et de l'Education Physique de Rouen, Université de Rouen, Mont-Saint-Aignan, France
  • 2Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Rouen, Rouen, France
Further Information

Publication History

Accepted after revision: November 30, 2005

Publication Date:
30 May 2006 (online)

Abstract

Diving has shown long-term effects on respiratory function in trained professional divers, indicating the development of small airways disease. The results are more controversial in trained recreational divers because of the different degrees of exposure and training. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of recreational diving on respiratory function in highly experienced divers. Volumes and expiratory flow rates were measured in 32 older recreational divers (51.6 ± 7.4 years). The forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) were higher (+ 4.9 % and + 6 %, respectively; p < 0.01) than the theoretical standards (ERS 93). These values tended to decrease more rapidly as the age advanced (age range: 43 - 73 years) (p < 0.05). Moreover, the mid-expiratory flows at 50 %, 25 % and 25 - 75 % of vital capacity (MEF50 %, MEF25 % and MEF25 - 75 %) were significantly decreased. These early signs of decrease suggest slight small airways disease in older experienced recreational divers.

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F. Lemaître

Centre d'Etudes des Transformations des Activités Physiques et Sportives
Equipe d'Accueil UPRES N° 3832
Faculté des Sciences du Sport et de l'Education Physique de Rouen
Université de Rouen

Boulevard Siegfried

76130 Mont-Saint-Aignan

France

Phone: + 33232107784

Email: frederic.lemaitre@univ-rouen.fr

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