• The effect of a passive stretch training protocol on performance during a drop jump in humansPeer reviewedClosed access 

      30 mars 2013, Levenez, Morgan; THEUNISSEN, Sigrid; Bottero, Antoine; SNOECK, Thyl; Tinlot, Arnaud; BALESTRA, Costantino; Provyn, Steven, HE Bruxelles Brabant
      Article scientifique
      Our study's aim is to show how a five-week stretch training protocol, based on passive stretching, can change muscle performance during a drop jump (stretch shortening cycle). METHODS: This study observes in 8 healthy subjects (four males and four females), the effect of a 5-week passive stretch training protocol on the stretch shortening cycle (SSC) during the performance of a drop jump, and identify ...
    • The effect of a passive stretch training protocol on performance during a drop jump in humansPeer reviewedClosed access 

      15 juin 2013, Lévénez, Morgan; THEUNISSEN, Sigrid; Bottero, Antoine; SNOECK, Thyl; Bruyère, A; Tinlot, Arnaud; BALESTRA, Costantino; Provyn, Steven, HE Bruxelles Brabant
      Article scientifique
      Aim: Our study's aim is to show how a five-week stretch training protocol, based on passive stretching, can change muscle performance during a drop jump (stretch shortening cycle). Methods: This study observes in 8 healthy subjects (four males and four females), the effect of a 5-week passive stretch training protocol on the stretch shortening cycle (SSC) during the performance of a drop jump, ...
    • Effect of a single, open-sea, air scuba dive on human micro- and macrovascular functionPeer reviewedClosed access 

      15 août 2013, LAMBRECHTS, Kate; Pontier, Jean-Michel; BALESTRA, Costantino; Mazur, Aleksandra; Wang, Qiong; Buzzacott, Peter; Theron, Michaël; Mansourati, Jacques; Guerrero, François, HE Bruxelles Brabant
      Article scientifique
      Purpose: Previous studies have shown that bubble formation induced endothelial damage on conduit arteries. We aim to evaluate the effect of diving on microvascular and macrovascular function. Methods: Nine divers took part in a SCUBA dive at 30 msw (400 kPa), for 30 min of bottom time. Pre- and post-dive, they underwent an assessment of endothelial-dependent (acetylcholine) and endothelial-independent ...
    • Effect Of Induced Relative Hypoxia On Reticulocyte Count In Oncologycal Abdominal Surgery: A Single-Centre, Controlled, Randomized Pilot Study.Peer reviewedOpen access 

      04 avril 2018, Khalife, Maher; Wiams, Kathleen; Ben Aziz, M; BALESTRA, Costantino; Sosnowski, Maurice, HE Bruxelles Brabant
      Article scientifique
      Erythropoietin (EPO) stimulating agents are known as alternatives to transfusion. However, they expose patients to thrombosis and are expensive. A phenomenon, “the normobaric oxygen paradox” (NOP), has been described. A transient hyperoxia followed by a prolonged return to normoxia acts as an effective trigger for EPO production. The mechanism depends on free O2 radicals and on reduced gluthatione ...
    • The effect of pre-dive ingestion of dark chocolate on endothelial function after a scuba divePeer reviewedClosed access 

      15 mars 2015, THEUNISSEN, Sigrid; BALESTRA, Costantino; BOUTROS, Antoine; De Bels, David; Guerrero, François; GERMONPRÉ, Peter, HE Bruxelles Brabant
      Article scientifique
      Objective: The aim of the study was to observe the effects of dark chocolate on endothelial function after scuba diving. Methods: Forty-two male scuba divers were divided into two groups: a control (n=21) and a chocolate group (n=21). They performed a 33-metres deep scuba-air dive for 20 minutes in a diving pool (Nemo 33, Brussels). Water temperature was 33⁰C. The chocolate group ingested 30 g ...
    • Effect of SCUBA Diving on Ophthalmic ParametersPeer reviewedOpen access 

      09 mars 2022, Deleu, Laurent; Catherine, Janet; Postelmans, Laurence; BALESTRA, Costantino, HE Bruxelles Brabant
      Article scientifique
      Background and Objective: Several cases of central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) in divers have been reported in our medical retina center over the past few years. This study was designed to evaluate possible changes induced by SCUBA diving in ophthalmic parameters and especially subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT), since the choroid seems to play a crucial role in physiopathology of CSC. Materials ...
    • Effect of tetrahydrobiopterin and exercise training on endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation in SHRPeer reviewedClosed access 

      02 juin 2013, Guerrero, François; Sanéo, Thioub; Goanvec, Christelle; THEUNISSEN, Sigrid; Feray, Annie; BALESTRA, Costantino; Mansourati, Jacques, HE Bruxelles Brabant
      Article scientifique
      We examined whether the improvement of impaired NO-dependent vasorelaxation by exercise training could be mediated through a BH4-dependent mechanism. Male spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR, n = 20) and Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY, n = 20) were trained (Tr) for 9 weeks on a treadmill and compared to age-matched sedentary animals (Sed). Endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation (EDV) was assessed with ...
    • Effects of Acute Hypobaric Hypoxia Exposure on Cardiovascular Function in Unacclimatized Healthy Subjects: A "Rapid Ascent" Hypobaric Chamber StudyPeer reviewedOpen access 

      28 avril 2022, THEUNISSEN, Sigrid; BALESTRA, Costantino; Bolognési, Sébastien; Borgers, Guy; Vissenaeken, Dirk; Obeid, Georges; Germonpré, Peter; Honoré, Patrick M.; De Bels, David, HE Bruxelles Brabant
      Article scientifique
      Background: This study aimed to observe the effects of a fast acute ascent to simulated high altitudes on cardiovascular function both in the main arteries and in peripheral circulation. Methods: We examined 17 healthy volunteers, between 18 and 50 years old, at sea level, at 3842 m of hypobaric hypoxia and after return to sea level. Cardiac output (CO) was measured with Doppler transthoracic ...
    • Effects of Electrical Stimulation on Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS): Evidences from Laboratory and In-Field StudiesPeer reviewedOpen access 

      12 septembre 2023, Gussoni, Maristella; Moretti, Sarah; Vezzoli, Alessandra; Genitoni, Valerio; Giardini, Guido; BALESTRA, Costantino; Bosco, Gerardo; Pratali, Lorenza; Spagnolo, Elisabetta; Montorsi, Michela; Mrakic-Sposta, Simona, HE Bruxelles Brabant
      Article scientifique
      Intense, long exercise can increase oxidative stress, leading to higher levels of inflammatory mediators and muscle damage. At the same time, fatigue has been suggested as one of the factors giving rise to delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS). The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of a specific electrical stimulation (ES) treatment (without elicited muscular contraction) on two ...
    • Effects of oxygen-enriched air on cognitive performance during SCUBA-diving - an open-water studyPeer reviewedClosed access 

      12 avril 2017, Brebeck, Anne-Kathrin; Deussen, Andreas; Schmitz-Pfeiffer, Henning; Range, Ursula; BALESTRA, Costantino; Cleveland, Sinclair; Schipke, Jochen, HE Bruxelles Brabant
      Article scientifique
      Backround: Nitrogen narcosis impairs cognitive function, a fact relevant during SCUBA-diving. Oxygen-enriched air (nitrox) became popular in recreational diving, while evidence of its advantages over air is limited. AIM: Compare effects of nitrox28 and air on two psychometric tests. METHODS: In this prospective, double-blind, open-water study, 108 advanced divers (38 females) were randomized to an ...
    • Elevations of Extracellular Vesicles and Inflammatory Biomarkers in Closed Circuit SCUBA DiversPeer reviewedOpen access 

      22 mars 2023, Arya, Awadhesh; BALESTRA, Costantino; Bhopale, Veena; Tominen, Laura; Raisanen-Sokolowski, Anne; Dugrenot, Emmanuel; Thom, Stephen, HE Bruxelles Brabant
      Article scientifique
      Blood-borne extracellular vesicles and inflammatory mediators were evaluated in divers using a closed circuit rebreathing apparatus and custom-mixed gases to diminish some diving risks. "Deep" divers (n = 8) dove once to mean (+/-SD) 102.5 +/- 1.2 m of sea water (msw) for 167.3 +/- 11.5 min. "Shallow" divers (n = 6) dove 3 times on day 1, and then repetitively over 7 days to 16.4 +/- 3.7 msw, for ...
    • Evaluation of Divers' Neuropsychometric Effectiveness and High-Pressure Neurological Syndrome via Computerized Test Battery Package and Questionnaires in Operational SettingPeer reviewedOpen access 

      12 avril 2019, Berenji Ardestani, Simin; BALESTRA, Costantino; Bouzinova, Elena; Loennechen, Oyvind, HE Bruxelles Brabant
      Article scientifique
      Introduction: When divers are compressed to water depths deeper than 150 meter sea water (msw), symptoms of high-pressure neurological syndrome (HPNS) might appear due to rapid increase in pressure on the central nervous system during compression. The aim of this study was to first operate a new computerized tool, designed to monitor divers' wellbeing and cognitive function, and to record the results. ...
    • Evaluation of Protection Level, Respiratory Safety, and Practical Aspects of Commercially Available Snorkel Masks as Personal Protection Devices Against Aerosolized Contaminants and SARS-CoV2Peer reviewedOpen access 

      15 juin 2020, GERMONPRÉ, Peter; Van Rompaeye, Dirk; BALESTRA, Costantino, HE Bruxelles Brabant
      Article scientifique
      Introduction: The “Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2” (SARS-CoV2) pandemic has led to a worldwide shortage of personal protection devices (PPD) for medical and paramedical personnel. Adaptation of commercially available snorkel masks to serve as full face masks has been proposed. Even not formally approved as PPD, they are publicized on social media as suitable for this use. Concerns ...
    • Evidence of Heritable Determinants of Decompression Sickness in RatsPeer reviewedClosed access 

      22 juillet 2017, Lautridou, Jacky; Buzzacott, Peter; Belhomme, Marc; Dugrenot, Emmanuel; Lafère, Pierre; BALESTRA, Costantino; Guerrero, François, HE Bruxelles Brabant
      Article scientifique
      NTRODUCTION: Decompression sickness (DCS) is a complex and poorly understood systemic disease caused by inadequate desaturation following a decrease of ambient pressure. Strong variability between individuals is observed for DCS occurrence. This raises questions concerning factors that may be involved in the inter-individual variability of DCS occurrence. This study aimed to experimentally assess ...
    • Extreme Environments in Movement Science and Sport PsychologyPeer reviewedOpen access 

      20 décembre 2018, BALESTRA, Costantino; Jacek, Kot; Efrati, Shai; Guerrero, François; Blatteau, Jean-Eric; Besnard, Stéphane, HE Bruxelles Brabant
      Article scientifique
      Editorial: Extreme Environments in Movement Science and Sport Psychology
    • Feasibility of Detecting Brain Areas Involved in Extreme Breath-Hold DivingPeer reviewedOpen access 

      20 janvier 2021, Jissendi-Tchofo, Patrice; Jdaoudi, Yassin; GERMONPRÉ, Peter; Brizzolari, Andrea; Musimu, Patrick; BALESTRA, Costantino, HE Bruxelles Brabant
      Article scientifique
      We report Blood Oxygen Level Dependent (BOLD) signal changes recorded in the brain of an elite breath-hold diver during voluntary dry long breath-hold by means of fMRI. An independent component analysis (ICA) method was applied to extract brain areas that are putatively involved in the apnea process network. We discuss the hypothesis that these BOLD signal variations express the functional adaptive ...
    • Field study of anthropomorphic and muscle performance changes among elite skippers following a transoceanic racePeer reviewedOpen access 

      12 juin 2020, Lafère, Pierre; Gatzoff, Yann; Guerrero, François; Provyn, Steven; BALESTRA, Costantino, HE Bruxelles Brabant
      Article scientifique
      BACKGROUND: Ocean racing has become increasingly demanding, both physically and psychologically. The aim of the study was to assess global changes after a transoceanic race. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eight male sailors were evaluated pre- and post-race through anthropometric measurements (weight, skinfold, girth at different level and estimated body fat percentage), multifrequency tetrapolar bioelectrical ...
    • Flying after diving: should recommendations be reviewed? In-flight echocardiographic study in bubble-prone and bubble-resistant diversPeer reviewedOpen access 

      13 mai 2015, Cialoni, Danilo; Pieri, Massimo; BALESTRA, Costantino; Marroni, Alessandro, HE Bruxelles Brabant
      Article scientifique
      INTRODUCTION: Inert gas accumulated after multiple recreational dives can generate tissue supersaturation and bubble formation when ambient pressure decreases. We hypothesized that this could happen even if divers respected the currently recommended 24-hour pre-flight surface interval (PFSI). METHODS: We performed transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) on a group of 56 healthy scuba divers (39 male, ...
    • Full-Face Mask Use during SCUBA Diving Counters Related Oxidative Stress and Endothelial DysfunctionPeer reviewedOpen access 

      15 janvier 2022, Levenez, Morgan; LAMBRECHTS, Kate; Mrakic-Sposta, Simona; Vezzoli, Alessandra; Germonpré, Peter; Pique, Hadrien; Virgili, Fabi; Bosco, Gerardo; Lafere, Pierre; BALESTRA, Costantino, HE Bruxelles Brabant
      Article scientifique
      Impaired flow mediated dilation (FMD), an index of vascular stress, is known after SCUBA diving. This is related to a dysfunction of nitric oxide (NO) availability and a disturbance of the redox status, possibly induced by hyperoxic/hyperbaric gas breathing. SCUBA diving is usually performed with a mask only covering "half face" (HF) and therefore forcing oral breathing. Nasal NO production is ...
    • A fully automated method for late ventricular diastole frame selection in post-dive echocardiography without ECG gatingPeer reviewedOpen access 

      02 mars 2021, Markley, Eric; Le, David; Germonpré, Peter; BALESTRA, Costantino; Tillmans, Frauke; Denoble, Petar; Freiberger, Jake; Moon, Richard; Dayton, Paul; Papadopoulou, Virginie, HE Bruxelles Brabant
      Article scientifique
      Venous gas emboli (VGE) are often quantified as a marker of decompression stress on echocardiograms. Bubble-counting has been proposed as an easy to learn method, but remains time-consuming, rendering large dataset analysis impractical. Computer automation of VGE counting following this method has therefore been suggested as a means to eliminate rater bias and save time. A necessary step for this ...