Increased bone mineral density in experienced SCUBA divers

Abstract

Weightlessness during prolonged water activities and bubble formation during decompression phase of SCUBA diving could influence bone structure of the diver. Previous research has reported controversial results in bone mineral density (BMD) in SCUBA divers, showing both decrease and no change in BMD. We hypothesized that middle aged experienced divers will present greater decrease in BMD than younger divers investigated in previous studies. We tested 11 SCUBA divers whose mean age was 46.2±2.3 years (mean±SEM). On average, they were involved in SCUBA diving for 26 years performing 363 hours of diving annually. BMD was measured at the levels of lumbar spine and hip regions using dual energy X‐ray absorptiometry. BMD value for total lumbar spine was 1.233±0.034 g/cm2, and for total hip was 1.150±0.048 g/cm2. T scores were 1.4±0.3 and 0.9±0.3 for lumbar and hip regions, respectively. Z scores, considering subjects age, were 1.6±0.3 and 1.2±0.3 for lumbar and hip regions, respectively. Parathyroid hormone, estradiol, and testosterone levels were within normal range in all subjects. In conclusion, our results show that middle aged, experienced divers have increased BMD. Such increase is especially evident in their lumbar region. This study was supported by Croatian Ministry of Science, Education and Sports.