Abstract
BackgroundThe physiological and pathophysiological mechanisms that govern diving, both self-contained underwater breathing apparatus (SCUBA) and breath-hold diving (BH-diving), are in large part well known, even if there are still many unknown aspects, in particular about cell metabolism during BH-diving.The scope of this study was to investigate changes in glycemia, insulinemia, and the catecholamine response to BH-diving, to better understand if the insulin-stimulated glucose uptake mechanism is involved in cellular metabolism in this sport.MethodsTwenty male experienced healthy breath-hold divers were studied. Anthropometric information was obtained. Glycemia, insulinemia, and catecholamine response were investigated before and after the series of BH-diving.ResultsWe found a statistically significant decrease in the blood glucose levels between before and after dives (mean 94.3 ± 11.6 vs. 83.5 ± 12.5 mg/dl) P = 0.001 and a statistically significant increase in blood insulin value (median 4.5 range 3.4/6.4 vs. 7.0 range 4.2/10.2 mcgU/ml) P < 0.0001. Also, we found a statistically significant increase of catecholamine production (median 14.0 range 8/18 vs. 15.5 range 10.0/21.0 μg) P < 0.0001.ConclusionsThe increase in blood insulin during BH-diving associated with the decrease of blood glucose levels could indicate that the upregulating cellular uptake is not caused by activation of the specific glucose transporters.Particular diving-related conditions such as the diving reflex, the intermittent hypoxia/hyperoxia, and the particular environmental condition could play an important role in the mechanism involved in glycemia decrease in BH-diving.Our data confirm that the adaptations to BH-diving are caused by complex mechanisms and involve many peculiar responses still in large part unknown.
Highlights
The physiological and pathophysiological mechanisms that govern diving, both self-contained underwater breathing apparatus (SCUBA) and breath-hold diving (BH-diving), are in large part well known, even if there are still many unknown aspects, in particular about cell metabolism during BH-diving
Our data confirm that the adaptations to BH-diving are caused by complex mechanisms and involve many unknown responses
The popularity of self-contained underwater breathing apparatus (SCUBA) and breath-hold diving (BH-diving) is steadily increasing [1], and the physiological and pathophysiological mechanisms that govern these activities are in large part well known [2], even if cellular metabolism during BH-diving is not [3]
Summary
The physiological and pathophysiological mechanisms that govern diving, both self-contained underwater breathing apparatus (SCUBA) and breath-hold diving (BH-diving), are in large part well known, even if there are still many unknown aspects, in particular about cell metabolism during BH-diving. The popularity of self-contained underwater breathing apparatus (SCUBA) and breath-hold diving (BH-diving) is steadily increasing [1], and the physiological and pathophysiological mechanisms that govern these activities are in large part well known [2], even if cellular metabolism during BH-diving is not [3]. Muscle-specific glucose transporter type 4 (GLUT4) plays an important role in the transport of glucose inside the cells when the mechanism is insulin-independent [4, 6]. This mechanism is responsible for the reduction of glycemia during exercise when the insulin does not increase [7]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
