Exercise and Repetitive Diving

[OralDouglas]

Hey all...

Ive got a few questions, not too sure where to put them though. Hope this is the right place!

Anyway!
I am usually quite physically active, and have been known to maintain a fairly rigorous gym schedule (5 days a week, heavy weights, high intensity) while on dry land. This summer I am going to be doing a few liveaboards, as well as taking a DM course.

Now, I realize I will be pretty taxed physically with the course- but I was wondering if it would be wise to try and maintain a moderate level of conditioning (say, three or four days a week, one heavy- high intensity day) during this period?

Could all this activity increase the risks of dive related injuries?

Thanks!

[knotical]

Dr Deco (AKA Dr. Powell) is probably the expert here on ScubaBoard about diving and exercise. You might want to ask your question in the "Ask Dr Decompression" forum. But in the meantime, here are a few of his posts:

from: http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/4159195-post3.html

Activity at the bottom, during ascent, and on the surface is not good. Mild activity POSTdive is fine because it promotes blood flow and offgassing. Strenuous activity promotes nuclei formation/growth. This is bad for the outcome. [This idea is based on work I performed while at NASA.]

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/4159202-post7.html

I would recommend waiting four hours after diving before you participate in strenuous activity.

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/4018502-post5.html

Exercise before a dive - if not very strenuous - appears to be OK.

[AquaExplorer]

OralDouglas....I too am an avid workout/weight lifting junkie....and I can say that it might be best if you pre-plan your workout to have your live aboard time as "recovery time" where you do mild workouts with body weight only.