Effects of oxygen-enriched air on cognitive performance during SCUBA-diving - an open-water study
Brebeck, A.-K.; Deussen, A.; Schmitz-Peiffer, H.; Range, U.; Balestra, C.; Cleveland, S.; Schipke, J.D. (2017). Effects of oxygen-enriched air on cognitive performance during SCUBA-diving - an open-water study. Research in Sports Medicine 25(3): 345-356. https://dx.doi.org/10.1080/15438627.2017.1314289 In: Research in Sports Medicine. TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD: Abingdon. ISSN 1543-8627; e-ISSN 1543-8635, more |  |
| Author keywords | Cognitive performance; memory; alertness; SCUBA-diving; nitrox |
| Authors | | Top | - Brebeck, A.-K.
- Deussen, A.
- Schmitz-Peiffer, H.
- Range, U.
| - Balestra, C., more
- Cleveland, S.
- Schipke, J.D.
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| Abstract | Backround: Nitrogen narcosis impairs cognitive function, a fact relevant during SCUBA-diving. Oxygen-enriched air (nitrox) became popular in recreational diving, while evidence of its advantages over air is limited. Aim: Compare effects of nitrox28 and air on two psychometric tests.Methods: In this prospective, double-blind, open-water study, 108 advanced divers (38 females) were randomized to an air or a nitrox-group for a 60-min dive to 24m salt water. Breathing gas effects on cognitive performance were assessed during the dive using a short- and long-term memory test and a number connection test.Results: Nitrox28 divers made fewer mistakes only on the long-term memory test (p=0.038). Female divers remembered more items than male divers (p<0.001). There were no significant differences in the number connection test between the groups.Conclusion: Likely owing to the comparatively low N-2 reduction and the conservative dive, beneficial nitrox28 effects to diver performance were moderate but could contribute to diving safety. |
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