Exercise before/after diving?

[novalyne]

I'm not diving for awhile, but while I'm thinking of it...

I have gotten back into exercising (yay me). I seem to remember something about exercise being a bad thing before or after scuba, but now I can't find information when I try to do a web search.

If I want to exercise (say, a vigorous jog, 20-30 minutes), how much time should I allow either before or after a dive? I tend to get lazy later in the day, so I'd rather get exercise done earlier, if it's not a problem with diving. Anyone know the recommended guidelines? Thanks!

 

[fyrdyvr]

If you can get your hands on an October 2008 issue of Dive Training magazine, there was a great article in there about DCS which addressed this issue.

I couldn't quote it, but it basicaly said that exercising before or after diving could increase your body's susceptibility to DCS. It is a very good article.

You may can contact DT to purchase that issue. Their web address is www.dtmag.com

DAN is also a great resource, DAN Divers Alert Network
A search for "exercise and dcs" turned up some good results.

Good luck, and dive safe!

 

[gregmontalbano]

As a general rule, no extensive exercise 24 hours after diving. I don't have a reference for that, however.

EDIT - just so people don't think I'm pulling it out of my ass, I did read somewhere that it increases your susceptibilityto DCS as don points out below

 

[don Francisco]

Here's a very simplified analysis.

Excercise after diving is thought to increase your susceptibility to DCS through a mechanism that might be likened to shaking a soda bottle. Basicly the increased blood flow might knock gas out of suspension leading to bubble formation.

The problem with excercise before diving is that it might lower your blood volume through dehydration. A second consideration is your recovery rate. After a hard workout it takes a while for your heart rate and breathing to return to normal. Among other things this would mean increased air consumption.

I'd suggest you excercise first, then wait until you're fully recovered before diving, probably somewhere between half and one hour at least, depending on how vigorous the excercise and your overall condition. While waiting, replace fluids lost during the session.

That's a simplistic summary, for more info, you might do a search here Rubicon Research Repository: Home

 

[String]

Generally its no strenuous after diving. There is some evidence to suggest gentle exercise BEFORE diving could be beneficial though.

As with anything though its common sense. If the diving is very short, shallow and gentle you could get away with doing more than say multiple deep mandatory deco dives.
Ive done 7-8 mile runs about 2hrs after diving before. Not something to recommend but depends on the profile and your own acceptance of risk.

 

[bleeb]

Also some interesting comments in this thread.

 

[PvtStash]

that I DO use less gas if I dive an hour/ hour ana half after a workout...

 

[Melicertes]

I'm not diving for awhile, but while I'm thinking of it...

I have gotten back into exercising (yay me). I seem to remember something about exercise being a bad thing before or after scuba, but now I can't find information when I try to do a web search.

If I want to exercise (say, a vigorous jog, 20-30 minutes), how much time should I allow either before or after a dive? I tend to get lazy later in the day, so I'd rather get exercise done earlier, if it's not a problem with diving. Anyone know the recommended guidelines? Thanks!

I suggest getting yourself a copy of Fitness for Divers by Cameron L. Martz over at Better fitness means better diving.
He discusses pretty much everything you would need to know about exercise before, during and after diving. What I like about his book is that he cites some interesting scientific research. Chapter 17 in particular should answer pretty much all you'd need to know, but in short it appears that exercise about 24 hours prior to diving seems to be beneficial and may lower your risk of DCS, whilst exercising less than 24 hours prior to or up to 6 hours after diving may possibly increase the risk of DCS. Martz seems to agree with several experts that no strenuous exercise should be done after diving until at least 6 half times of the limiting tissue compartment in NDL type diving; i.e. typically the 60 minute compartment, has elapsed. This means no heavy workouts for 6 hours after diving. Read it and make up your own mind, I'd say.

I consider this book to be a must have in everybody's diving library. Just my 2c worth...

 

[Gary D.]

The Navy never read those books or articles.

Gary D.

 

[Melicertes]

The Navy never read those books or articles.

Gary D.

Hehehehe
But then the average navy diver is most likely fitter than most recreational divers; I'd think that would mess with the numbers and conclusions in a different way altogether.