Mapping the functional brain state of a world champion freediver in static dry apnea
Jitka Annen, Rajanikant Panda, Charlotte Martial, Andrea Piarulli, Guillaume Nery, Leandro R. D. Sanz, Juan M. Valdivia-Valdivia, Didier Ledoux, Olivia Gosseries, Steven Laureys
Brain Structure and Function January 1, 2021 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-021-02361-1 via CORE
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractA world champion free diver's brain activity and connectivity shift markedly during a 6.5-minute breath-hold. EEG shows increased alpha wave power and connectivity, with decreased delta band connectivity. fMRI reveals heightened connectivity within the default mode network and visual areas, but reduced connectivity in sensorimotor cortices. These changes overlap with some meditation-related brain signatures but also include unique features suggesting altered somatosensory integration. Self-reports indicate that elite free divers may achieve a state of sensory dissociation during prolonged apnea, reflecting their ability to adapt psychologically and physiologically to extreme breath-holding.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Case study Case report Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 1 |
| Population | World champion free diver |
| Intervention | dry static apnea |
| Duration | 6.5 min of apnea |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Freediving Breath-holding Apnea Underwater diving Neuroscience |
| Citations | 15 |
| Key finding | During dry static apnea, a world champion free diver shows increased EEG alpha power and connectivity, increased fMRI connectivity in the default mode network and visual areas, and decreased connectivity in sensorimotor cortices, suggesting a state of sensory dissociation. |
Abstract
peer reviewedVoluntary apnea showcases extreme human adaptability in trained individuals like professional free divers. We evaluated the psychological and physiological adaptation and the functional cerebral changes using electroencephalography (EEG) and functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) to 6.5 min of dry static apnea performed by a world champion free diver. Compared to resting state at baseline, breath holding was characterized by increased EEG power and functional connectivity in the alpha band, along with decreased delta band connectivity. fMRI connectivity was increased within the default mode network (DMN) and visual areas but decreased in pre- and postcentral cortices. While these changes occurred in regions overlapping with cerebral signatures of several meditation practices, they also display some unique features that suggest an altered somatosensory integration. As suggested by self-reports, these findings could reflect the ability of elite free divers to create a state of sensory dissociation when performing prolonged apnea