Elite Freedivers Beat #Seals During Deep Dives – Incredible Heart Rates and Brain Oxygen Levels

Back in 2021, McKnight et al. published a paper in which they used a special device, the PortaDiver, to make #NIRS measurements with elite #freedivers. This one-of-a-kind device is a modified version of the PortaLite mini, and was made by request for this specific study.

#diving #sport #research #hemodynamics #brain #fNIRS #HR

Time for an #introduction

Hi 🐘, I’m Clément, FWO post-doc fellow at NERF - NeuroElectronics Research Flanders - in Dr. Alan Urban lab. My research combines the development of the functional ultrasound imaging modality aka #fUSI for diverse preclinical applications 🐭🐷🐵 and its use for whole-brain imaging of awake rodents : #hemodynamics, #stroke mapping, sensory functions.

Stay up-to-date on (v)fUSI R&D (past&future) here: @fUSI

All cells in all organs of the body have a constant but variable need for #oxygen. However, the body stores for oxygen are minimal. A constant and adequate supply of oxygen to the tissues through the circulation is essential. Any interference with tissue oxygenation will lead very rapidly to irreversible damage.

Optical oximetry, and near infrared spectroscopy (#NIRS) in particular, is a tool for assessing of the #oxygenation status and #hemodynamics of various organs, e.g. #muscle and #brain.