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Maximal fat oxidation in navy divers

Sjöblom, Clara LU ; Ekman, Lars LU ; Plogmark, Oscar LU ; Mandić, Mirko ; Rodríguez-Zamora, Lara ; Melin, Anna K. ; Ekström, Magnus LU orcid and Frånberg, Oskar LU (2026) In Undersea & hyperbaric medicine : journal of the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society, Inc 53(1). p.19-30
Abstract

Introduction: Oxidating fat as an energy substrate requires more oxygen than utilizing carbohydrates and can be acutely increased by hyperoxia. Therefore, substrate utilization may affect endurance performance and gas consumption in divers, but previous research is limited. This study aimed to evaluate changes in maximal fat oxidation (MFO) in navy divers during training. Methods: Seven explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) divers (age 20.0±1.4, BMI 23.5±1.6), five combat divers (age 23.6±3.0, BMI 26.2±1.2), and seven amphibious rangers (controls) (age 23.0±2.9, BMI 26.2±1.7) were recruited. MFO was measured with indirect calorimetry using an incremental test before and after diver training of 15 weeks (EOD divers) or 16 weeks spaced over... (More)

Introduction: Oxidating fat as an energy substrate requires more oxygen than utilizing carbohydrates and can be acutely increased by hyperoxia. Therefore, substrate utilization may affect endurance performance and gas consumption in divers, but previous research is limited. This study aimed to evaluate changes in maximal fat oxidation (MFO) in navy divers during training. Methods: Seven explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) divers (age 20.0±1.4, BMI 23.5±1.6), five combat divers (age 23.6±3.0, BMI 26.2±1.2), and seven amphibious rangers (controls) (age 23.0±2.9, BMI 26.2±1.7) were recruited. MFO was measured with indirect calorimetry using an incremental test before and after diver training of 15 weeks (EOD divers) or 16 weeks spaced over nine months (combat divers and controls). EOD divers performed a treadmill protocol in normoxia and hyperoxia, and combat divers and controls performed a bicycle ergometer protocol in normoxia. Results: Combat divers increased their MFO with 0.14 g/minute ([95 % CI] 0.04 to 0.23) while no difference was observed in EOD divers (-0.05 g/minute; -0.19 to 0.08) or controls (0.00 g/minute; -0.14 to 0.14). Discussion: Combat diver training can increase fat oxidation, potentially affecting oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production. A combination of training stressors, including hyperoxia, training load, and negative energy balance, may cause these changes.

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author
; ; ; ; ; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
hyperoxia, maximal fat oxidation, military diving
in
Undersea & hyperbaric medicine : journal of the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society, Inc
volume
53
issue
1
pages
12 pages
publisher
Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society
external identifiers
  • scopus:105035679117
  • pmid:41979521
ISSN
1066-2936
DOI
10.22462/816
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
b99dbc5b-50ef-41a4-977a-e946030689bd
date added to LUP
2026-06-23 15:39:34
date last changed
2026-09-03 03:31:02
@article{b99dbc5b-50ef-41a4-977a-e946030689bd,
  abstract     = {{<p>Introduction: Oxidating fat as an energy substrate requires more oxygen than utilizing carbohydrates and can be acutely increased by hyperoxia. Therefore, substrate utilization may affect endurance performance and gas consumption in divers, but previous research is limited. This study aimed to evaluate changes in maximal fat oxidation (MFO) in navy divers during training. Methods: Seven explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) divers (age 20.0±1.4, BMI 23.5±1.6), five combat divers (age 23.6±3.0, BMI 26.2±1.2), and seven amphibious rangers (controls) (age 23.0±2.9, BMI 26.2±1.7) were recruited. MFO was measured with indirect calorimetry using an incremental test before and after diver training of 15 weeks (EOD divers) or 16 weeks spaced over nine months (combat divers and controls). EOD divers performed a treadmill protocol in normoxia and hyperoxia, and combat divers and controls performed a bicycle ergometer protocol in normoxia. Results: Combat divers increased their MFO with 0.14 g/minute ([95 % CI] 0.04 to 0.23) while no difference was observed in EOD divers (-0.05 g/minute; -0.19 to 0.08) or controls (0.00 g/minute; -0.14 to 0.14). Discussion: Combat diver training can increase fat oxidation, potentially affecting oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production. A combination of training stressors, including hyperoxia, training load, and negative energy balance, may cause these changes.</p>}},
  author       = {{Sjöblom, Clara and Ekman, Lars and Plogmark, Oscar and Mandić, Mirko and Rodríguez-Zamora, Lara and Melin, Anna K. and Ekström, Magnus and Frånberg, Oskar}},
  issn         = {{1066-2936}},
  keywords     = {{hyperoxia; maximal fat oxidation; military diving}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{1}},
  pages        = {{19--30}},
  publisher    = {{Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society}},
  series       = {{Undersea & hyperbaric medicine : journal of the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society, Inc}},
  title        = {{Maximal fat oxidation in navy divers}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.22462/816}},
  doi          = {{10.22462/816}},
  volume       = {{53}},
  year         = {{2026}},
}