Evaluation of static work load in a helium-oxygen saturation dive at 31 ATA. 1996

N Naraki, and G Tomizawa, and M Mohri
Coastal Research Department, Japan Murine Science Technology Center, Yokosuka, Japan.

The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the static work load as a model work in Submersible Decompression Chamber (SDC) during a deep sea saturation dive with helium-oxygen gas mixture. Heart rate (HR) and electromyogram (EMG) power spectrum changes were studied during a 7-minute static work, half-rising posture or flexed knee posture in four healthy male subjects. During the static work, EMG of the rectus femoris was recorded with surface electrodes, and changes in the EMG power spectrum were presented in the ratio of a high-frequency to low-frequency band (H/L ratio) after the Fourier transform analysis. The HR decreased at 31 ATA and increased remarkably after the decompression to 1 ATA. HR at post-decompression was higher than pre-compression. The lowering phenomena of EMG presented by H/L ratios during the static work were similarly observed in all three conditions. But the changes of the high and low frequency components were different in the post-decompression condition from the pre-compression and 31 ATA conditions. HR as a parameter of static work load might underestimate the work load at the hyperbaric environment due to hyperbaric bradycardia and overestimate it after decompression by "decompression tachycardia." The EMG lowering phenomenon observed after decompression might not be caused by the same mechanism as seen in the pre-compression and hyperbaric environments. Extreme care must be taken to evaluate the static work load not only at hyperbaric helium-oxygen environments but after decompression from a deep saturation dive.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D010100 Oxygen An element with atomic symbol O, atomic number 8, and atomic weight [15.99903; 15.99977]. It is the most abundant element on earth and essential for respiration. Dioxygen,Oxygen-16,Oxygen 16
D011187 Posture The position or physical attitude of the body. Postures
D003664 Decompression Decompression external to the body, most often the slow lessening of external pressure on the whole body (especially in caisson workers, deep sea divers, and persons who ascend to great heights) to prevent DECOMPRESSION SICKNESS. It includes also sudden accidental decompression, but not surgical (local) decompression or decompression applied through body openings.
D004242 Diving An activity in which the organism plunges into water. It includes scuba and bell diving. Diving as natural behavior of animals goes here, as well as diving in decompression experiments with humans or animals. Divings
D004576 Electromyography Recording of the changes in electric potential of muscle by means of surface or needle electrodes. Electromyogram,Surface Electromyography,Electromyograms,Electromyographies,Electromyographies, Surface,Electromyography, Surface,Surface Electromyographies
D005082 Physical Exertion Expenditure of energy during PHYSICAL ACTIVITY. Intensity of exertion may be measured by rate of OXYGEN CONSUMPTION; HEAT produced, or HEART RATE. Perceived exertion, a psychological measure of exertion, is included. Physical Effort,Effort, Physical,Efforts, Physical,Exertion, Physical,Exertions, Physical,Physical Efforts,Physical Exertions
D006339 Heart Rate The number of times the HEART VENTRICLES contract per unit of time, usually per minute. Cardiac Rate,Chronotropism, Cardiac,Heart Rate Control,Heartbeat,Pulse Rate,Cardiac Chronotropy,Cardiac Chronotropism,Cardiac Rates,Chronotropy, Cardiac,Control, Heart Rate,Heart Rates,Heartbeats,Pulse Rates,Rate Control, Heart,Rate, Cardiac,Rate, Heart,Rate, Pulse
D006371 Helium A noble gas with the atomic symbol He, atomic number 2, and atomic weight 4.003. It is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas that is not combustible and does not support combustion. It was first detected in the sun and is now obtained from natural gas. Medically it is used as a diluent for other gases, being especially useful with oxygen in the treatment of certain cases of respiratory obstruction, and as a vehicle for general anesthetics. Helium-4,Helium 4
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man

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