Effects of military diving training course on maximal oxygen consumption (VO2 max) in armed forces diving trainer

Introduction. Diver training is the process of developing skills and building physical and physiological performance in the use of diving equipment and techniques so that the diver is able to dive safely. Training armed forces divers, including combat divers or frogman, is far harder, longer, and more complicated than civilian sport scuba diver training, typically takes several weeks full-time, and the trainees must be at full armed forces fitness and discipline at the start. It needs much higher levels of fitness, and during the course there is often a high elimination rate of trainees who do not make the grade. VO2 max (also maximal oxygen consumption, maximal oxygen uptake or aerobic capacity) is the maximum capacity of an individual's body to transport and utilize oxygen during incremental exercise, which reflects the physical fitness of the individual. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of military diving training course on VO2 max, as one of indicators of physical fitness.Materials and Methods. According to inclusion criteria, and a quasi-experimental before-after one group design, 32 military personnel who were candidate to military diving training program, were selected. Their VO2 max before and after the 3-months training program was measured by Bruce protocol. Bruce protocol was done in two state, when subject was wore a diving suit and a current sport cloths. Results. The results showed a significantly (p<.001) deference between measured VO2 max within diving suit (65.99 +/-5.73) and sport cloths (60.5699 +/-6.37) subjects (n = 32 age = 24.31 +/- 4.47 yrs weight = 74.34 +/- 9.04 kg height = 173.84 +/- 5.87 cmBMI = 24.55+/-2.22). Measured VO2 max with either diving suit or sport cloths in compare to before the training program, was significantly (p<.001) differ, the mean of VO2 max was 68.50 +/-5.29 and 63.04 +/-5.74 respectively. Also, the results showed that the VO2 max was significantly (p<.001) increase after the diving training program. Conclusion. Although military diving training program significantly improved VO2 max, and VO2 max is widely accepted as the single best measure of cardiovascular fitness and maximal aerobic power in long term training program, we should be consider that the military diving training program is combination of some exercise activities and non exercise programs.