Risk profiles of elite breath-hold divers

• Published in: International journal of environmental health research pp. 1 - 13
• Main Authors: Allinger, Jérémie, Noulhiane, Marion, Féménias, Damien, Louvet, Benoit, Clua, Eric, Bouyeure, Antoine, Lemaître, Frédéric
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Taylor & Francis 20.06.2024
• Subjects: Environmental Sciences; Loss of consciousness; hypoxia; depth; risk profiles; depth; hypoxia; Loss of consciousness; risk profiles
• ISSN: 0960-3123; 1369-1619; 1369-1619
• DOI: 10.1080/09603123.2024.2368718

This study aimed to determine a typical profile of elite breath-hold divers (BHDs), in relation to loss of consciousness (LOC) and episodic memory. Forty-four BHDs were evaluated during a world championship with anthropometric and physiological measurements, psychosociological factors and memory assessment. Seventy-five percent of the BHDs had at least one LOC with the predominance being men (  < 0.05). Thirty six percent of BHDs presented a low-risk profile and 64% a high-risk profile with no particular psychological pattern. Stepwise multiple linear regression showed that body fat, years of BH practice, age and forced vital capacity explained a significant amount of the variance of LOC for all BHDs (F(4,39) = 16.03,  < 0.001, R  = 0.622, R  = 0.583). No correlation was found between resting physiological parameters and their training or depth performances. In conclusion, anthropometric data, pulmonary factors and breath-holding experience were predictive of LOC in elite BHDs, with men taking more risks. BHDs episodic memory was not impaired.