Increased Serum Levels of the Antioxidant Enzymes (Superoxide Dismutase-3 and Catalase) in Response to SCUBA Diving

Abstract

Background and Objectives Physical activity under high pressure such as scuba diving can cause oxidative stress. This study aims to investigate the effect of diving at a depth of 10 meters for 20 minutes on serum levels of antioxidant enzymes in male divers. Subjects and Methods In this quasi-experimental study, participants were 6 male divers who were selected from the divers of the Red Crescent rescue team in Yasuj, Iran. First, blood samples were taken from the subjects. Then, in less than five minutes, they reached the desired depth (10 meters) and started diving for 20 minutes. When they began to come up the surface, they had a safety stop at a depth of 3 meters for 5 minutes. When they reached the water surface, blood sampling was performed again immediately. Paired t-test was used for statistical analysis of data (P≤0.05). Results After diving, a significant increase was reported in serum levels of catalase (P=0.009) and superoxide dismutase-3 (P=0.002), compared to the pre-test phase. Conclusion Scuba diving at a depth of 10 meters for 20 minutes increases the serum levels of catalase and superoxide dismutase-3, which indicates the effect of diving on increasing the activity of antioxidant enzymes.