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01-03-2010 | Original Article

Ventilatory function in breath-hold divers: effect of glossopharyngeal insufflation

Authors: Frederic Lemaître, Eric Clua, Bernard Andréani, Ingrid Castres, Didier Chollet

Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology | Issue 4/2010

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine whether ventilatory parameters would change in breath-hold divers (BHDs) after they performed the glossopharyngeal technique for lung insufflation. Fifteen elite BHDs, 16 non-expert BHDs and 15 control subjects participated in this cross-sectional study. Volumes and expiratory flow rates were measured twice, before and after the glossopharyngeal technique performed at rest. Before the technique, greater forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV₁) and lower FEV₁/FVC were noted in the elite and non-expert BHDs compared with controls. No difference was noted regarding the other pulmonary parameters. After the technique, increases were noted in FVC, FEV₁ and maximal voluntary ventilation in the elite BHDs (P < 0.001, respectively). The FEF_25–75%/FVC ratios were lower in the BHDs both before and after the technique, indicating possible dysanapsis. The ventilatory parameters observed after the glossopharyngeal technique indicated (1) higher lung volumes in expert BHDs and (2) a correlation with BHD performance (maximal dynamic BH performance). This correlation became more significant after the technique, indicating a positive effect of glossopharyngeal insufflation on performance.

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Title: Ventilatory function in breath-hold divers: effect of glossopharyngeal insufflation
Authors: Frederic Lemaître
Eric Clua
Bernard Andréani
Ingrid Castres
Didier Chollet
Publication date: 01-03-2010
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology / Issue 4/2010
Print ISSN: 1439-6319
Electronic ISSN: 1439-6327
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-009-1277-1

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Ventilatory function in breath-hold divers: effect of glossopharyngeal insufflation

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