Why the study?
The influence of cardiac arrhythmias during maximal voluntary breath-holds on the long-term cardiac health of elite freedivers had not been investigated.
Does frequent maximal breath-holding affect the cardiac health and structure of elite freedivers compared to non-athletes?
Population
32 healthy young men including 16 elite freedivers and 16 non-athlete controls
Comparison
Elite freedivers with frequent maximal breath-holds vs healthy non-athlete controls
Design
Observational cross-sectional study
Key result
Elite freediving was associated with a lower minimal heart rate (42.3 vs 48.8 bpm, P<0.005) and mild structural cardiac changes that remained within normal physiological values.
Authors
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Freediver cardiac changes appear exercise-related and benign; leaves open long-term breath-hold effects in larger prospective cohorts.
Observational (n=32)
Does frequent maximal breath-holding affect the cardiac health and structure of elite freedivers compared to non-athletes?
Absolute Event Rate: 42.3% vs 48.8%
p-value: p=< 0.005
Elite freedivers exhibit benign physiological cardiac adaptations, including lower minimal heart rate and slightly increased ventricular volumes, which remain within normal limits and do not limit their practice.
Zelenkova et al. (2015) conducted an observational in Healthy (n=32). Elite freediving (frequent maximal breath-holding) vs. Healthy young men not involved in sports was evaluated on Minimal heart rate (bpm) (p=< 0.005). Elite freediving was associated with a lower minimal heart rate (42.3 vs 48.8 bpm, P<0.005) and mild structural cardiac changes that remained within normal physiological values.
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