Long term effects of recreational diving....scientific data?

[DocVikingo]

Doc,....Of course, I would expect some long term oxygen deprivation effects and that this type of extreme apnea training based freediving, is bad for cognitive function over many years..... What do you think?

Hey Dan,

I doubt that the periods of hypoxemia inherent in extreme apnea freediving are prolonged & frequent enough to cause any meaningful & lasting cognitive dysfunction.

This study seems to support such an opinion:

"Apnea diving: long-term neurocognitive sequelae of repeated hypoxemia.

Lynne Ridgway, Ken McFarland

University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Brisbane, Australia.

The Clinical Neuropsychologist (impact factor: 2.12). 03/2006; 20(1):160-76
.
DOI:10.1080/13854040590947407

ABSTRACT: This article examines the neurocognitive sequelae of repeated exposure to hypoxemia in apnea (breath-hold) divers. A brief review of the literature on the physiological and neurological adaptations involved in the "human diving reflex" is presented. The results from a neuropsychological investigation of N = 21 elite apnea divers are evaluated. Standard neuropsychological tests, with known sensitivity to mild brain insults, included speed of visuo-motor responding, speed of language comprehension, response inhibition, and visual and verbal attention and recall tasks. Results indicated that the breath-hold divers performed tasks within the average range compared to norms on all tests, suggesting that 1-20 years of repeated exposure to hypoxemia including multiple adverse neurological events did not impact on performance on standard neuropsychological tasks. The results are discussed in relation to implications for clinical conditions such as sleep apnea, respiratory disorders, altitude sickness, and recreational apnea activities."

Cheers,

DocV

 

[danvolker]

Hey Dan,

I doubt that the periods of hypoxemia inherent in extreme apnea freediving are prolonged & frequent enough to cause any meaningful & lasting cognitive dysfunction.

This study seems to support such an opinion:

"Apnea diving: long-term neurocognitive sequelae of repeated hypoxemia.

Lynne Ridgway, Ken McFarland

University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Brisbane, Australia.

The Clinical Neuropsychologist (impact factor: 2.12). 03/2006; 20(1):160-76
.
DOI:10.1080/13854040590947407

ABSTRACT: This article examines the neurocognitive sequelae of repeated exposure to hypoxemia in apnea (breath-hold) divers. A brief review of the literature on the physiological and neurological adaptations involved in the "human diving reflex" is presented. The results from a neuropsychological investigation of N = 21 elite apnea divers are evaluated. Standard neuropsychological tests, with known sensitivity to mild brain insults, included speed of visuo-motor responding, speed of language comprehension, response inhibition, and visual and verbal attention and recall tasks. Results indicated that the breath-hold divers performed tasks within the average range compared to norms on all tests, suggesting that 1-20 years of repeated exposure to hypoxemia including multiple adverse neurological events did not impact on performance on standard neuropsychological tasks. The results are discussed in relation to implications for clinical conditions such as sleep apnea, respiratory disorders, altitude sickness, and recreational apnea activities."

Cheers,

DocV

Wow...talk about exactly what I was looking for!!!
Thanks Doc!!!