Abstract | This study aimed to assess the effect of extreme environmental exposure during an operational saturation dive on airway inflammation (exhaled nitric oxide (FeNo)), components of fitness (flexibility and aerobic capacity) and blood haematological variables. Six saturation divers, who undertook a 26 ± 0.5 day operational saturation dive were recruited to take part in this study. Participants completed a field based repeated measure test battery on three occasions (pre, post and 24hr post saturation dive). Haemoglobin mass was significantly (p < 0.001) reduced from pre (15.3 ± 0.8 g/dL) to post saturation (14.25 ± 1.2 g/dL) dive but recovered towards baseline values within 24 hrs (15.13 ± 1.03 g/dL; p = 0.04). Similarly, a reduction in plasma volume was observed in all participates from pre to post saturation dive trials. Airway inflammation response was non-significant, although a large inter-individual response was evident. Hip flexion, assessed by the sit and reach test did not change following the saturation dive. Data on aerobic capacity, was only collected in one participant, due to practical difficulties in participant access. In summary, this is the first investigation to conduct a multiple-component field based study on operational saturation divers. The findings for this exploratory study present interesting groundings for further investigation. |
---|