ReviewEuropean journal of applied physiology2026
Advances in breath-hold diving research: a state-of-the-art review.
Review in European journal of applied physiology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
3 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
- Effects of swimming on cognitive and health outcomes in older adults and insights into participation facilitators and barriers: a systematic review.Frontiers in medicine · 2026Pooled it
- Aquaticity as a Latent Dimension of Aquatic Performance: Conceptual Framework and Application to Breath-Hold Diving.Journal of functional morphology and kinesiology · 2026Article
- Cognitive risk during underwater exposure: from environmental stressors to assessment and context-aware monitoring.Frontiers in physiology · 2026Review
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
4 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundBreath-hold diving (BHD, also referred to as freediving) represents an extreme physiological challenge, requiring adaptations to rapid changes in blood gas levels and hydrostatic pressure. Despite advances in understanding human responses to BHD, knowledge gaps remain. With this state-of-the-art review, research trends and progression were tracked to inform future investigation directions.
methodsA structured literature search was conducted in PubMed and Scopus (2005–2025), selecting peer-reviewed studies on physiological, biochemical, and biomechanical aspects of BHD. Thematic analysis identified eight major research areas: cardiovascular, pulmonary, and neurological systems, decompression stress, skeletal muscle and metabolism, training, long-term adaptations, and technological advancements.
resultsCardiovascular adaptations involve autonomic regulation, bradycardia, and splenic contraction, but uncertainties remain regarding individual variability. Pulmonary responses include lung compression, gas exchange inefficiencies, and potential risks of lung barotrauma. Neurological effects include hypoxia-induced syncope, cerebral blood flow changes, and emerging evidence of neurovascular damage. Decompression stress, once considered negligible, is now recognized in elite and repetitive divers. Training enhances apnea performance through hematological and metabolic adaptations, though long-term effects are unclear. Telemonitoring advancements are promising for future improvement of divers’ safety.
conclusionsRecent observations emphasize both adaptive and maladaptive aspects of BHD physiology. The synthesized research trends should aim at refining current achievements and identify what individual and environmental factors pose specific limits for human breath-hold performance underwater.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.