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 2021 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-021-02361-1 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| 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 Brain research EEG FMRI Neurobiology Cognitive science Sensory dissociation Altered brain state Mental state Consciousness Human adaptation Physiological adaptation Extreme physiology Human potential Focus Visualization Mental training |
| Citations | 15 |
| Key findings | 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