Diving and muscle protein synthesis

[Scott-r]

Does anybody know of any interactions between diving and muscle protein synthesis?

I understand the implications of physical exertion, and its propensity to expose a diver to DCS. But my question relates to the long term effect diving may have on ones ability to recover from resistance training and build muscle.

Since tissue requires a period of time to off-gas following a dive, will this physiological response limit or indeed prevent optimal muscle protein synthesis?

I am a very keen diver, but am also trying to achieve a certain level of physical conditioning (bodybuilding). I am training on a 5 day split (Mon-Fri) and dive at the weekend, on my rest days.

Will I jeopardise my recovery / ability to build muscle by diving on my rest days?

Any insight / advice would be massively appreciated >)))'>

Scott

 

[Duke Dive Medicine]

Does anybody know of any interactions between diving and muscle protein synthesis?

I understand the implications of physical exertion, and its propensity to expose a diver to DCS. But my question relates to the long term effect diving may have on ones ability to recover from resistance training and build muscle.

Since tissue requires a period of time to off-gas following a dive, will this physiological response limit or indeed prevent optimal muscle protein synthesis?

I am a very keen diver, but am also trying to achieve a certain level of physical conditioning (bodybuilding). I am training on a 5 day split (Mon-Fri) and dive at the weekend, on my rest days.

Will I jeopardise my recovery / ability to build muscle by diving on my rest days?

Any insight / advice would be massively appreciated >)))'>

Scott

Interesting question. I don't think anything has been done that applies directly, but there some research around diving and cell function.

I found this regarding the effect of decompression on mitochondrial respiration:
https://journals.physiology.org/doi/full/10.1152/ajpcell.00243.2018

There's a lot going on here though... the investigators exposed the cells to rapid decompression and compressed cells on both hyperoxic and anoxic mixes, so I'm not sure what you can conclude about that, but rapid decompression from a 125 ft/38 meter 1 hour dive did have deleterious effects on mitochondrial respiration.

There's this one on production of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species and cell death related to diving. The diving protocol here involved compression on air to 800 kPa (equivalent to 227 fsw) followed by rapid decompression:

Reactive Oxygen Species, Mitochondria, and Endothelial Cell Death during In Vitro Simulated Dives - PubMed

Both of these are in vitro studies in which specific cells were exposed to dive profiles that aren't very realistic for recreational divers. Still, it would seem reasonable to conclude that excess decompression stress or exposure to oxygen levels beyond safe recommendations may have a negative effect on cellular function. Neither of these is particularly shocking.

It's been proposed that hyperbaric oxygen can help heal soft tissue injuries, but this Cochrane review from 2005 does not support this idea. This recent examination of the literature on the same subject was inconclusive. That hasn't stopped the boutique "clinics" from offering it though.

Some have suggested that aerobic exercise prior to diving can reduce the risk of DCS by reducing post-dive venous gas emboli, but the evidence for this is mixed:

Pre-dive cycling exercise and post-dive evolution of venous gas emboli.

The effect of pre-dive exercise timing, intensity and mode on post-decompression venous gas emboli.

There's a growing body of research that suggests that microparticles play a role in decompression sickness. Dr. Steve Thom at UPenn is one of the preeminent researchers in this field. The paper below is a nice summary of the research:
Exercise before and after SCUBA diving and the role of cellular microparticles in decompression stress - PubMed

I think it would be safe to conclude that diving within safe parameters is unlikely to affect your recovery in any significant way. There is some evidence to suggest that strenuous exercise in the immediate post-dive period can increase arterialization of venous gas emboli, so I would recommend you avoid lifting weights on diving days.

Best regards,
DDM

 

[Scott-r]

Thank you so much, that is some very interesting albeit very extreme case study! Thanks for taking the time to reply

 

[ginti]

Interesting question. I don't think anything has been done that applies directly, but there some research around diving and cell function.

I found this regarding the effect of decompression on mitochondrial respiration:
https://journals.physiology.org/doi/full/10.1152/ajpcell.00243.2018

There's a lot going on here though... the investigators exposed the cells to rapid decompression and compressed cells on both hyperoxic and anoxic mixes, so I'm not sure what you can conclude about that, but rapid decompression from a 125 ft/38 meter 1 hour dive did have deleterious effects on mitochondrial respiration.

There's this one on production of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species and cell death related to diving. The diving protocol here involved compression on air to 800 kPa (equivalent to 227 fsw) followed by rapid decompression:

Reactive Oxygen Species, Mitochondria, and Endothelial Cell Death during In Vitro Simulated Dives - PubMed

Both of these are in vitro studies in which specific cells were exposed to dive profiles that aren't very realistic for recreational divers. Still, it would seem reasonable to conclude that excess decompression stress or exposure to oxygen levels beyond safe recommendations may have a negative effect on cellular function. Neither of these is particularly shocking.

It's been proposed that hyperbaric oxygen can help heal soft tissue injuries, but this Cochrane review from 2005 does not support this idea. This recent examination of the literature on the same subject was inconclusive. That hasn't stopped the boutique "clinics" from offering it though.

Some have suggested that aerobic exercise prior to diving can reduce the risk of DCS by reducing post-dive venous gas emboli, but the evidence for this is mixed:

Pre-dive cycling exercise and post-dive evolution of venous gas emboli.

The effect of pre-dive exercise timing, intensity and mode on post-decompression venous gas emboli.

There's a growing body of research that suggests that microparticles play a role in decompression sickness. Dr. Steve Thom at UPenn is one of the preeminent researchers in this field. The paper below is a nice summary of the research:
Exercise before and after SCUBA diving and the role of cellular microparticles in decompression stress - PubMed

I think it would be safe to conclude that diving within safe parameters is unlikely to affect your recovery in any significant way. There is some evidence to suggest that strenuous exercise in the immediate post-dive period can increase arterialization of venous gas emboli, so I would recommend you avoid lifting weights on diving days.

Best regards,
DDM

OT - When will you organize a conference for the general public about diving physiology?

 

[Duke Dive Medicine]

OT - When will you organize a conference for the general public about diving physiology?

Hmm... I wonder if SB could support something like that. Worth checking into. Thanks for the idea!

 

[klausi]

Excellent mini review, thank you.

Interesting question. I don't think anything has been done that applies directly, but there some research around diving and cell function.

I found this regarding the effect of decompression on mitochondrial respiration:
https://journals.physiology.org/doi/full/10.1152/ajpcell.00243.2018

There's a lot going on here though... the investigators exposed the cells to rapid decompression and compressed cells on both hyperoxic and anoxic mixes, so I'm not sure what you can conclude about that, but rapid decompression from a 125 ft/38 meter 1 hour dive did have deleterious effects on mitochondrial respiration.

There's this one on production of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species and cell death related to diving. The diving protocol here involved compression on air to 800 kPa (equivalent to 227 fsw) followed by rapid decompression:

Reactive Oxygen Species, Mitochondria, and Endothelial Cell Death during In Vitro Simulated Dives - PubMed

Both of these are in vitro studies in which specific cells were exposed to dive profiles that aren't very realistic for recreational divers. Still, it would seem reasonable to conclude that excess decompression stress or exposure to oxygen levels beyond safe recommendations may have a negative effect on cellular function. Neither of these is particularly shocking.

It's been proposed that hyperbaric oxygen can help heal soft tissue injuries, but this Cochrane review from 2005 does not support this idea. This recent examination of the literature on the same subject was inconclusive. That hasn't stopped the boutique "clinics" from offering it though.

Some have suggested that aerobic exercise prior to diving can reduce the risk of DCS by reducing post-dive venous gas emboli, but the evidence for this is mixed:

Pre-dive cycling exercise and post-dive evolution of venous gas emboli.

The effect of pre-dive exercise timing, intensity and mode on post-decompression venous gas emboli.

There's a growing body of research that suggests that microparticles play a role in decompression sickness. Dr. Steve Thom at UPenn is one of the preeminent researchers in this field. The paper below is a nice summary of the research:
Exercise before and after SCUBA diving and the role of cellular microparticles in decompression stress - PubMed

I think it would be safe to conclude that diving within safe parameters is unlikely to affect your recovery in any significant way. There is some evidence to suggest that strenuous exercise in the immediate post-dive period can increase arterialization of venous gas emboli, so I would recommend you avoid lifting weights on diving days.

Best regards,
DDM

 

[klausi]

I can just add anecdotal evidence: I have made significant strength (powerlifting) gains while working as a diving instructor, and diving 2-3 times daily. Most recreational dives are not terribly stressful in terms of off-gassing. A key factor for me is hydration, which is lost during diving and strength training, I often drink 1 1/2 liters of diluted sports drink in a 45 minute weights session.

 

[Scott-r]

I can just add anecdotal evidence: I have made significant strength (powerlifting) gains while working as a diving instructor, and diving 2-3 times daily. Most recreational dives are not terribly stressful in terms of off-gassing. A key factor for me is hydration, which is lost during diving and strength training, I often drink 1 1/2 liters of diluted sports drink in a 45 minute weights session.

Thanks Klausi, that is encouraging to hear. However strength gains and sarcoplasmic/myofibrillar hypertrophy are somewhat different. Have you made any significant increases in muscle mass during that phase of strength gain? Strength comes by in large from the body's ability to recruit motor units, whilst hypertrophy is a result of several metabolic adaptations at a cellular level. I am wondering if the associated physiological stress within cells during a period of on and off gassing will limit or prevent hypertrophy...

 

[klausi]

Yes, I have, both mass as well as strength gains. I think scuba and power sports/bodybuilding combine well.

Thanks Klausi, that is encouraging to hear. However strength gains and sarcoplasmic/myofibrillar hypertrophy are somewhat different. Have you made any significant increases in muscle mass during that phase of strength gain? Strength comes by in large from the body's ability to recruit motor units, whilst hypertrophy is a result of several metabolic adaptations at a cellular level. I am wondering if the associated physiological stress within cells during a period of on and off gassing will limit or prevent hypertrophy...

 

[Scott-r]

Why do you think they go well together?

Reading some of articles provided by Duke Dive Medicine, any research into this topic seems to have been from an extreme end.

I imagine the impact of conservative recreational scuba diving within safe limits is minimal, and most likely offset by the sheer enjoyment and reduced stress levels I feel when I dive…

Reduced stress = increased gains