Publications

Selected scientific publications on diving medicine and physiology.

2023 Jan 1
Possible causes of narcosis-like symptoms in freedivers
Lemaître F, Costalat G, Allinger J, Balestra C.

During deep-sea freediving, many freedivers describe symptoms fairly similar to what has been related to inert gas narcosis in scuba divers. This manuscript aims to present the potential mechanisms underlying these symptoms. First, known mechanisms of narcosis are summarized while scuba diving.

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2023 Mar 27
Architectural and Mechanical Changes after Five Weeks of Intermittent Static Stretch Training on the Medial Gastrocnemius Muscle of Active Adults.
Lévenéz M, Moeremans M, Booghs C, Vigouroux F, Leveque C, Hemelryck W, Balestra C.

We investigated the effects of intermittent long-term stretch training (5 weeks) on the architectural and mechanical properties of the muscle-tendon unit (MTU) in healthy humans. MTU's viscoelastic and architectural properties in the human medial gastrocnemius (MG) muscle and the contribution of muscle and tendon structures to the MTU lengthening were analyzed. Ten healthy volunteers participated in the study (four females and six males). The passive stretch of the plantar flexor muscles was achieved from 0° (neutral ankle position) to 25° of dorsiflexion.

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2022 Dec 30
Pulmonary Effects of One Week of Repeated Recreational Closed-Circuit Rebreather Dives in Cold Water
Gouin E, Balestra C, Orsat J, Dugrenot E & L’Her E.

Background and Objectives: The use of closed-circuit rebreathers (CCRs) in recreational diving is gaining interest. However, data regarding its physiological effects are still scarce. Immersion, cold water, hyperoxia, exercise or the equipment itself could challenge the cardiopulmonary system.

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2022 Dec 30
Oxidative Stress Response's Kinetics after 60 Minutes at Different (30% or 100%) Normobaric Hyperoxia Exposures
Leveque C, Mrakic-Sposta S, Lafere P, Vezzoli A, Germonpre P, Beer A, Mievis S, Virgili F, Lambrechts K, Theunissen S, Guerrero F & Balestra C.

Oxygen is a powerful trigger for cellular reactions and is used in many pathologies, including oxidative stress. However, the effects of oxygen over time and at different partial pressures remain poorly understood. In this study, the metabolic responses of normobaric oxygen intake for 1 h to mild (30%) and high (100%) inspired fractions were investigated. Fourteen healthy non-smoking subjects (7 males and 7 females; age: 29.9 ± 11.1 years, height: 168.2 ± 9.37 cm; weight: 64.4 ± 12.3 kg; BMI: 22.7 ± 4.1) were randomly assigned in the two groups. Blood samples were taken before the intake at 30 min, 2 h, 8 h, 24 h, and 48 h after the single oxygen exposure.

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2022 Dec 21
The Normobaric Oxygen Paradox-Hyperoxic Hypoxic Paradox: A Novel Expedient Strategy in Hematopoiesis Clinical Issues
Salvagno M, Coppalini G, Taccone FS, Strapazzon G, Mrakic-Sposta S, Rocco M, Khalife M & Balestra C.

Hypoxia, even at non-lethal levels, is one of the most stressful events for all aerobic organisms as it significantly affects a wide spectrum of physiological functions and energy production. Aerobic organisms activate countless molecular responses directed to respond at cellular, tissue, organ, and whole-body levels to cope with oxygen shortage allowing survival, including enhanced neo-angiogenesis and systemic oxygen delivery.

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