The Effect of 6-Meter Underwater Diving Intervention on Recovery of Exercise-Induced Fatigue

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effect of 6-meter underwater diving on recovery of exercise-induced fatigue and explore the potential mechanism. Method: Thirty-three male sophomores majored in physical education were included in this self-control, cross-over study. The fatigue was induced through programed swimming exercise at same intensity for both control and intervention groups. After exercise-induced fatigue, the subjects recovered through sitting on the floor and 6-meter underwater diving for 15 minutes in control and intervention groups respectively. The parameters observed included Heart Rate (HR), Critical Flicker Frequency (CFF), Simple Reaction Time (SRT) and Standing Long Jump (SLJ). Results: The HR was faster after exercise and recovery compared to that before exercise in both groups. SLJ was shorter after recovery compared to before exercise fatigue in both groups. After diving recovery, the CFF was lower than that before exercise fatigue, while the index of SRT was higher than that before exercise fatigue. Compared with the control group, the HR and SRT were significantly lower, but the SLJ and CFF were significantly higher in the intervention group than those of control group (HR, p<0.05; SRT, p<0.01, SLJ, CFF p<0.01). Conclusion: The fatigue recovery effect of 6m underwater environment is better than that of land recovery. The low temperature, mild hyperbaric oxygen, water pressure and buoyancy in under water environment may promote the repair of muscle and motor nerve after exercise and improve the exercise performance after intervention.