title: Combined effects of ethanol and hyperbaric air on body sway and heart rate in man.
abstract: Eight amateur divers took part in crossover experiments to study the combined effects of ethanol (0.72 g/kg b.wt.) and hyperbaric air (4 and 6 ATA) on heart rate and body-sway movements. Body sway with open and closed eyes was measured in lateral and sagittal directions by a statometer device. In the alcohol condition, there was an initial increase in body sway corresponding to the acute phase of ethanol intoxication. At a mean blood alcohol concentration of 0.77 mg/ml, this increase in body sway was statistically significant (P less than 0.01) compared with the alcohol-free condition. At 90 min from start of drinking, body sway scores at 1 ATA were not significantly different from alcohol-free measurements. On raising the pressure to 4 and 6 ATA, increased body sway occurred in both alcohol and alcohol-free conditions and, moreover, the rate of increase was more extreme in the alcohol condition. Significant pressure-alcohol interactions were established, suggesting a potentiating action of alcohol on the increase in body sway induced by acute exposure to high pressures of air. Heart-rate measurements with and without alcohol were not significantly different, although increases in ambient pressure caused a drop in heart rate in both conditions.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000399:Air Pressure; D000435:Alcoholic Intoxication / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001274:Atmospheric Pressure; D000431:Ethanol / Q000097:blood; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009069:Movement Disorders / Q000209:etiology*
chemical_list: D000431:Ethanol