Key result
Alternative ergometric systems demonstrate greatly reduced underwater physical performance, indicating that professional scuba divers should be tested using underwater fin-swimming.
Why the study?
Mandatory medical examinations for divers overwhelmingly use bicycle ergometry, which overlooks important aspects of diving, prompting a search for ergometric systems that better address the underwater environment.
Do alternative underwater ergometric systems better assess physical performance and fitness in divers compared to standard bicycle ergometry?
Do alternative underwater ergometric systems better assess physical performance and fitness in divers compared to standard bicycle ergometry?
Underwater ergometric systems reveal significantly reduced physical performance compared to standard in-air bicycle ergometry, highlighting the need for modality-specific fitness testing in professional divers.
May inform diver fitness protocols; leaves open prospective validation before practice change.
Many recreational divers suffer medical conditions, potentially jeopardizing their safety. To scale down risks, medical examinations are mandatory and overwhelmingly performed using bicycle ergometry, which overlooks some important aspects of diving. Searching ergometric systems that better address the underwater environment, a systematic literature search was conducted using the keywords 'diving', 'fitness', 'ergometry', and 'exertion'. All presented alternative systems found convincingly describe a greatly reduced underwater physical performance. Thus, if a diver's workload in air should already be limited, he/she will suffer early from fatigue, risking a diving incident. How to assess fitness? Performance diagnostics in sports is always specific for a modality or movement. Therefore, professional scuba divers should be tested when fin-swimming underwater. For the vast number of recreational divers, the current screening can likely not be replaced. However, to prevent accidents, divers need to understand and be able to improve factors that limit their physical performance underwater. Other systems, presented here, will continue to be important tools in underwater research.
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Dreyer et al. (2021) conducted a review in Divers' fitness. Alternative ergometric systems vs. Bicycle ergometry was evaluated. Alternative ergometric systems demonstrate greatly reduced underwater physical performance, indicating that professional scuba divers should be tested using underwater fin-swimming.
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