What Researchers Did
Researchers studied 22 military divers before and after a 90-day dive training program to see if it reduced bubble formation and changed blood vessel function.
What They Found
None of the divers experienced decompression sickness during the training period. While there was no change in their weight, body mass index, maximal oxygen uptake, or endothelial function, bubble grades significantly decreased immediately after the diving training period (from 16.4 to 3.6). However, these bubble grades increased again three months after the training period (to 10.3).
What This Means for Canadian Patients
For Canadian divers, these findings suggest that consistent dive training and regular physical activity may help reduce the risk of developing decompression sickness (DCS). Reducing DCS risk is important as hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is a primary treatment for this condition.
Canadian Relevance
This study covers decompression sickness, a Health Canada-recognised indication for hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
Study Limitations
The study could not fully explain the exact mechanisms behind the reduced bubble formation or separate the effects of physical exercise from other factors.