Diaphragm Function and Diver Endurance

The aims of this project are to: (1) test a method that could increase personal endurance and reduce excessive rise in blood carbon dioxide during underwater exercise in divers; and (2) understand the mechanisms by which red blood cells transport oxygen and carbon dioxide and their possible effects on exercise capacity. During underwater exercise, personal endurance capacity and elevated blood PCO2 are key parameters that affect a diver's safety and performance. Unlike exercise on dry land, hypercapnia often occurs during dives and can impair cognitive function and predispose the diver to central nervous system (CNS) oxygen toxicity and convulsions underwater. Some people intrinsically have low ventilatory chemosensitivity, and are more likely to develop hypercapnia during a dive. Lack of stamina may also be a mission-critical variable, and both endurance and the ability to control blood carbon dioxide depend on the respiratory muscle (mainly diaphragm) function, for which endurance capacity is related to mitochondrial number. Previous studies from our lab have demonstrated increased mitochondrial biogenesis with training while breathing a low, sub-toxic (200 ppm) level of carbon monoxide. In this study we will test the effect of daily respiratory muscle training with and without added carbon monoxide on respiratory muscle power, diaphragm thickness, respiratory muscle endurance and exercise endurance during a subsequent dive to 50 feet of sea water. Arterial PCO2 and lactic acid levels will be measured during exercise tests before and after training. Transport of O2 and CO2 through erythrocyte cell membranes occurs mostly through channels. Erythrocytes from volunteers in this study will be tested for O2 and CO2 permeability, and to correlate gas transport efficiency with exercise performance and blood PCO2.

Inclusion criteria

• Normal volunteers
• Non-smokers
• Range of hypercapnic ventilatory responses
• VO2peak ≥35 mL.kg-1.min-1 (males)
• ≥30 mL.kg-1.min-1 (females)

Exclusion criteria

• Pregnancy
• Cardiorespiratory disease, including hypertension
• Neuromuscular disease
• Anemia
• Hemoglobinopathy, including sickle cell disease and trait