University of Windsor Scholarship at UWindsor Electronic Theses and Dissertations Theses, Dissertations, and Major Papers 9-1-1986 Physiological considerations in underwater exercise. Robin L. Battley University of Windsor Follow this and additional works at: https://scholar.uwindsor.ca/etd Recommended Citation Battley, Robin L., "Physiological considerations in underwater exercise." (1986). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 6793. https://scholar.uwindsor.ca/etd/6793 This online database contains the full-text of PhD dissertations and Masters’ theses of University of Windsor students from 1954 forward. These documents are made available for personal study and research purposes only, in accordance with the Canadian Copyright Act and the Creative Commons license—CC BY-NC-ND (Attribution, Non-Commercial, No Derivative Works). Under this license, works must always be attributed to the copyright holder (original author), cannot be used for any commercial purposes, and may not be altered. Any other use would require the permission of the copyright holder. Students may inquire about withdrawing their dissertation and/or thesis from this database. For additional inquiries, please contact the repository administrator via email ([email protected]) or by telephone at 519-253-3000ext. 3208. PHYSIOLOGICAL CONSIDERATIONS IN UNDERWATER EXERCISE BY ROBIN L. BATTLEY A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Human Kinetics Faculty of Human Kinetics Windsor, Ontario September, 1986 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. UMI Number: EC54780 INFORMATION TO USERS The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. Broken or indistinct print, colored or poor quality illustrations and photographs, print bleed-through, substandard margins, and improper alignment can adversely affect reproduction. In the unlikely event that the author did not send a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if unauthorized copyright material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. UMI UMI Microform EC54780 Copyright 2010 by ProQuest LLC All rights reserved. This microform edition is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code. ProQuest LLC 789 East Eisenhower Parkway P.O. Box 1346 Ann Arbor, Ml 48106-1346 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. G Robin Lynn Battley I986 All Rights Reserved 861279 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to take this opportunity to extend thanks to those people who assisted me throughout the various stages of this study. In particular I am grateful to the subjects, fellow SCUBA divers, who gave freely of their time and expertise to make this study a reality. I would also like to acknowledge the academic input from Dr. Ray Hermiston, Dr. Paul Taylor and Dr. Kenje Kenno from the University of Windsor, Ontario. All their contributions made this final report possible. Thank you. Robin L. Battley Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. ABSTRACT Five male subjects performed a continuous block lifting task for 15 minute intervals at four different levels - on the surface under laboratory conditions, and submerged in freshwater at 6 feet, 15 feet and 30 feet beneath the surface using standard SCUBA equipment. Heart rate was monitored each minute of every trial and expired gas samples were collected at rest, at 7 minute intervals during the work task and post recovery at each depth. Positive linear relationships were observed between heart rates, V02, VE STPD, 02 pulse and C02 tensions as depth increased (P < 0.05). An inverse relationship was observed between 02 tensions and calculated work efficiency as the working depth increased (P < 0.05). These results are thought to be the combined influences of individual baroreceptic responses and the increased mechanical work of breathing in a hyperbaric environment. The significantly elevated physio­ logical stress experienced at increasing depths by the subjects in this study leads the investigator to suggest that the use of open circuit SCUBA systems for so-called light underwater work be re-examined to ensure the safety of working divers. 11 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT ............................................................................................................................ ii LIST OF FIGURES ............................................................................................................ iv LIST OF TABLES .............................................................................................................. v LIST OF APPENDICES..................................................................................................... vi INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................ 1 Statement of the Problem ................................................................................ 1 Subproblems .............................................................................................................. 2 Definitions ................................................................................................................ 2 Delimitations .............................................................................................................. 6 Assumptions ............................................................ 6 Limitations ................................................................................................................... 6 H ypotheses ................................................................................................................... 7 Significance of the Study ................................................................................ 8 REVIEW OF LITERATURE ........................................................................................... 9 The Diving Environment .................................................................................... 9 Exercising Underwater ....................................................................................... 12 SCUBA Equipment .................................................................................................. 19 C onclusion ................................................................................................................... 20 PROCEDURES....................................................................................................................... 21 Selection of Subjects ........................................................................................... 21 Independent, Intervening and Dependent Variables ..................... 21 Testing Protocol ..................................................................................................... 27 Statistical Analyses .............................................................................................. 29 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION....................................................................................... 31 SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION ...................................................................... 47 APPENDICES.......................................................................................................................... 49 BIBLIOGRAPHY................................................................................................................... 70 iii Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1 Components of a Single Hose Two-Stage Demand Regulator ......................................................................................... ^ 2 The Effect of Depth on Pressures and Volumes ............................................................................................. 3 Oxygen Consumption as a Function of Exertion Level ......................................................................................... 4 Expired Gas Collection S ystem .............................................................. 5 On-Site Data Collection ............................................................................... 6 Heart Rate Versus Depth .......................................................................... 7 V02 and VE STPD Versus D e p th ........................................................ 8 Expired Gas Concentrations Versus Depth .................................. 40 9 02 Pulse Versus Depth ............................................................................. 42 IV Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. LIST OF TABLES Table 1 Oxygen Consumption of Surface and Skin Diving Activities ................................................................... 14 2 Subject Sample ....................................... 33 3 Calculated Work Efficiency .................................................................... 43 4 Subjective Ratings of Work Tasks ...................................................... 45 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.