Technical Report Freediving Ideas

[deepergreen]

So, I am in universiy and I have to do a technical writing report for a course. The subject can be anything as long as it is scientifically based and SPECIFIC. I normally hate doing long write ups on reports and often procrastinate. However, I know that if I can get a topic that inspires me that I will be eager to begin it. So does anyone have any ideas of a specific topics on the science of freediving. (Most would probably do with the oxygen levels or CO2 levels and their effects or perhaps the pressure on the body)
I have some ideas, but i need a good topic to have lots to work with (Books, Articles, studies, ect.)
I know there are many proffesionals out there who would love to know a bit more about the science behind it all, and I would love to do the research!
ideas..?
Any help would be appriciated!

THanks

P.S. I will also post this in the general freediving, to get a good variety of ideas

 

[Kars]

What field of study are you in?

So you're about to write an "technical writing report" what does that mean? what is it you actually are expected to do?

 

[deepergreen]

I am going through in the are of Biotechnology and Chemical Engineering, However the report can be on anything... its purpose is to give me practicing on wrighting reports on observations and experiments and such... The report "Technical" means specific and with utmost fact example instead of a report called "effects of polution on the enviroment" it would be more like "the effect on the temperature of an area with increased carbon dioxide"

 

[deepergreen]

... We will then be expected to reseach specific studies and infomation. Example how the carbon molecule theoretically changes heat capacity in a cetain area ect

 

[Kars]

Ah ok, a practice of articulation, formulation and rhetoric.
Well better have your dictionary at hand, because many words have different meanings to different groups. Example: The upcoming cool winter over western Europe may prove global warming / climate change is real. - One needs an Orwellian mind sometimes to keep up the with latest statements, LOL [laughing out loud].

Some more rambling:

Since it's the goal is to learn how to do clear and unambiguous formulating, I think you may want to analyse some previous reporting and see what they do well and where there are shortcomings in their reporting. Conducting a new search (I don't like the word REsearch) can absorb a lot of time, so you better choose your subject wisely. What kind of data do you want to have? Measurements expressed in what? Using the trivium (Grammar, logic, rhetoric) the classical 7 liberal arts, demonstrating 4 ways of quantifying the world, numbers (maths), numbers in space (Geometry), numbers in time (music), numbers in space and time(astronomy). Now also definitions are very important. It's easy to write a poll that sways the public's mind. Maybe a write up on how people can and have done scientific fraud through clever wording and leaving out certain key data, fudging, cherry picking, extrapolating, confusing cause and effect etc could be a valuable contribution to the scientist community, the peer-reviewers and the world? - maybe not so good for your career though.

I'm sorry I just fell into these tangents, now a practical idea, and affordable too.

I like to know what masks have the best field of vision.
The reason for this is that the more I see around me, the more I feel present - immersed - in the environment I'm freediving in.
You could do the angle measurements, as I did, for several masks. Present that data in numbers and 2d geometrical form.
You can also add a survey mapping out how people feel about a bigger FOV mask is an improvement to their dive experience.

Use the forum search function and find the results of my simple mask Field Of Vision tests. http://forums.deeperblue.com/freediving-equipment/87010-fields-vision-mask-comparison.html Maybe include people daily using glasses about their spectacles' field of vision and how's that is influencing their life.

 

[deepergreen]

Don't worry about the tangent... quite interesting actually... I myself am no disciple to the modern method of science, or how it is currently regarded by most.

That aside, hanks for the idea... I will see if I can work with that, only thing would be that it would be more directed towards how vision is bent underwater by a material and not specifically masks.

 

[deepergreen]

Any ideas about the pysical side? Example: effects of lower oxygen levels on body? Perhaps how people can lower there heart rates?

 

[Kars]

Conduct a search through the peer-reviewed literature. To me it looks like a hard thing to measure and prove scientifically. Going from 99% SaO2 to say 60% takes just a few minutes and is a moving target. If you could create some stationary situation then you would have some time to measure, though even a stable low SAO2 would yield in shifting, worsening effect in my estimation. Take high altitude climbers as subjects

BTW a low HR isn't by definition a good thing. I find that having a slower pumping heart transferring the same volume of blood <through increased volume/strength> uses about the same amount of oxygen.

 

[efattah]

Are you trying to discover something new, or write about existing knowledge? If you are trying to discover something new, what the sport really needs is a study on the effect of different training types on muscle myoglobin concentrations, as well as a comparison of myoglobin concentrations in different types of divers (newbies, professional spearos, competition divers, etc.)

 

[deepergreen]

That's very interesting! I will be sure to look at that... I have to use previously existing research...but perhaps I will come across something that free divers are unaware of. If I were doing a masters thesis then I would come up with new information and research but it's just a first year preparation report

 

[Simos]

That's very interesting! I will be sure to look at that... I have to use previously existing research...but perhaps I will come across something that free divers are unaware of. If I were doing a masters thesis then I would come up with new information and research but it's just a first year preparation report

Have a go but I have a feeling it might prove a bit tricky because as far as I know there are no easy, non-invasive methods to measure myoglobin concentration (I am no expert and stand to be corrected).

But even if you could uncover some research done on other species that correlates levels/types of activity with myoglobin concentrations, it could perhaps give us some hints.

 

[Simos]

Actually I take it back - there seem to be some info out there eg Sprint training effects on muscle myogl - PubMed Mobile

Interesting results from the above too..

 

[efattah]

Myoglobin studies have been done in humans, I did an exhaustive analysis of all available papers years ago, and the conclusion was there are only two known methods of generating myoglobin in human muscle:
1. high intensity exercise in hypoxia (tests used simulated altitude)
2. high angle isometric exercise (which restricts blood flow)

No studies have been done on diving related activities.

 

[Kars]

So sprinting full force after the bloodshift has manifested is a way to work on myoglobin?

 

[Simos]

So sprinting full force after the bloodshift has manifested is a way to work on myoglobin?

I can picture you jumping out of the pool after a static and running like a madman Kars lol

From the article above, it would suggest that sprinting won't do much for your myoglobin (myoglobin actually oddly decreased in the training group!). I wonder if just gaining muscle mass in general might be helpful...

 

[Mullins]

I remember reading a study in which a tourniquet was used. Sounded like fun!

 

[Simos]

I remember reading a study in which a tourniquet was used. Sounded like fun!

Have you ever used one? I had two operations when they had to use them and I found them worse than the operations themselves lol

 

[Kars]

Simos, Eric said exercise with "restricted bloodflow". I presume the bloodshift restriction will be sufficient. So an FRC dive, waiting for the bloodshift and then sprint with a monofin, that sort of thing I was thinking.

I remember reading a study in which a tourniquet was used. Sounded like fun!

Science is a crude mistress - to quote and line from "Le Grand Blue".

 

[Simos]

Simos, Eric said exercise with "restricted bloodflow". I presume the bloodshift restriction will be sufficient. So an FRC dive, waiting for the bloodshift and then sprint with a monofin, that sort of thing

Yes I know, sorry was just joking I actually thought the same as you.

I am not basing it on anything but I am not sure if FRC following by monofin sprint would do make a significant difference. But it would fit the 'high intensity exercise in hypoxia' category...

I heard of people doing exercise (eg spinning on stationary bike) while breathing through a straw but again, while it might help with breathold I am not too sure the reason is increased myoglobin...

I guess this is why we need a study of freedivers....

 

[efattah]

Simos, Eric said exercise with "restricted bloodflow". I presume the bloodshift restriction will be sufficient. So an FRC dive, waiting for the bloodshift and then sprint with a monofin, that sort of thing I was thinking.

In my e-coaching program I prescribe exercises similar to that, with the idea of creating as much vasoconstriction FIRST, then exercising the muscles.

In fact, the evidence is mounting that doing a static on the bottom of the pool (Murat style), before even starting your dynamic swim, may increase the maximum distance you can swim. In the future, the dynamic world record might be done this way. One of my training partners set her PB using this method.

Trevor Hutton's experiments have also mirrored my own, namely that doing a static ON THE BOTTOM during a constant weight dive can actually SAVE energy in the end. Of course in 100m+ dives there is a risk that the narcosis might be end up so bad that you would forget to swim up.

During recreational dives to 40m+, I always have more air left if I hang on the bottom for a while, as opposed to ascending immediately.