Physiological Responses to Apnea with Face Immersion

Abstract

Apnea provokes a number of physiological responses especially with face immersion. We examine for the first time the cardio respiratory responses after sub-maximal apnea in ten swimmers. Apnea was performed during face immersion in cold water (10±1.050C) and with pre-determined duration of 40 seconds. The room temperature was maintained at 250C. The heart rate average value at rest was 80.95±17.75 (bpm) whereas after the apnea 64.35±14.56 and the difference is statistically significant (p<0.02). The systolic blood pressure at rest was 124±8.76 (mmHg) and after the apnea 138±6.33 (p<0.000). The oxygen consumption at rest was 375.6±118.51 (ml/min) whilst after the apnea 598.3±155.38 (p=0.009). The carbon dioxide production
at rest was 377.7±208.31 (ml/min) and after the apnea 621.7±130.28 (p < 0.015). Results support the notion of the activation of the dive reflex after face immersion in the aforementioned physiological parameters.