INTRODUCTION

The vast majority of literature consider SCUBA diving a stress inducing activity, unadvisable for people with a high tendency to anxiety (Morgan et al. 2004). This perspective doesn't underline the positive psychological effects of diving, if practiced within certain conditions. Actually, once submerged, a series of bio-psycho-physiological mechanisms are involved and could result in a condition of well-being. Firstly, quoting Steven W. Porges Polivagal Theory, we would like to mention the importance of visceral state in the condition of wellness; the existance of bidirectional comunication between peripherial organs and central nervous system, between psychological experience and physiological regulation (Porges, 2001; 2009). Several factors in SCUBA diving take part in modulation of autonomous nervous system activity. On one side we have an increase of parasympathetic activity (SNP), that corresponds to peaceful feelings, induces psychological and physical relaxation and

reduces or inhibits body activity, restoring it (Cahn and Polich, 2006). On the other side we have a reduction of cardiac sympathetic activity (SNS) (ChouChou et al. 2009) that excites the body and is the primary vehicle for "fight or flight" response. Secondly, through comparative analysis between SCUBA diving and meditation-bodily techniques we notice important similarities that back up the hypothesis that SCUBA diving could induce a meditative-awareness state, thus promoting wellbeing. Meditation is essentially a phisiological state in which a reduced metabolic activity has been demonstrated. It induces mental and body relaxation improving psychological balance and inducing emotional stability (Schimd et al. 2010). In meditation as well as in diving, attention to respiration and body awareness play a fundamental role (Brown and Gerbarg, 2005. Table 1 shows main common factors.

DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION

People involved in SCUBA diving activities showed greater improvement of psychological state compared to those in the control group. After one week of diving, divers significantly reduced their anxiety level: not only they now perceive fewer threats and respond with less intensity, they also show less tendency to anxiety. Furthermore, people that showed a high anxiety traits at baseline improve significantly, opposite to control group that show no significant change. Indeed it seems that psychological changes occourring when diving not only affect the temporary state of the subject calming and restoring body and mind, they affect permanent personality traits promoting deep transformation that leads to less tendency to anxiety, better response to situations and less chances of having a panic attack. Finally, positive psychological effects on male divers on emotional balance; female divers and anxious sub-group on mindfulness, show the potential of such an activity for the quick achievment of a weelness condition. This preliminary experimental study aims to inroduce an innovative technique for the pursue of wellness. We suggest to consider this activity, if practiced in specific conditions, as a new way of promoting wellbeing and developing ability to cope with different enviromental demands.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

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Tab.2) Comparison between groups (T2<T1) with U di Mann–Whitney test (** p <0,01; * p <0,05).

Tab. 1 Common factors between SCUBA diving and meditation/bodily techniques

Up to date 1. Predominant activation of PNS and decrease of SNS during SCUBA diving activity

(Chouchou, 2009); 2. Relation between increased SNP and psychological states such as relaxation, rest,

emotional balance, self esteem development, threat buffer (Rubia, 2009; Lazar et al. 2000)

3. No study so far has put in relation diving with positive psychological effects

FATTORI COMUNI Pubblicazioni/Autori Slower breathing rate Brown and Gerbarg, 2005; Gilbert, 2003 Slower heart beat and oxygen consumption

Rubia, 2006; Neubauer et al. 2001; Rai et al.2008.

Increased SNP activity ; decreased SNS Cahn and Polich, 2006; Chouchou, 2009; Schipke and Pelzer, 2001.

Muscolar tension reduction Kjellgren et al. 2001; Nishimura and Onodera, 2000; Dehdari et al. 2009

Increased perception of body Gargiuolo, 2002

Proprioception development Tsang and Hui-Chan, 2003; Wong and Lan, 2008 Conscious breathing Kabat-Zinn, 1996 Important biofeedback mechanisms postural/proprioceptive Meuret et al. 2004; Meuret et al. 2001

OBJECTIVES AND HYPOTHESIS

Purpuse of the research was to investigate diving and psychological states. In specific our hypothesis was that SCUBA diving, if practiced with proper training and conditions, can promote psychological wellbeing and emotional balance.

METHOD AND MATERIALS 120 subjects were recruited in a holiday resort: 61 took part in SCUBA diving, (experimental group, mean age 41); 59 took part in other activities, but not SCUBA diving, (control group, mean age 40). There are no significant differences between the two groups for interest variables at baseline. Psychological variables were evaluated using: State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (Spielberger, 1983); Profile Of Mood States (McNair et al., 1971); Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (Baer et al. 2006). measurements were done in 2 separate moments: upon arrival in resort (Time 1) and the day before departure (Time 2) with a week interval between T1 and T2. 31% of partecipants showed high levels of anxiety at T1 (trait anxiety score >39).Statistically significant differences between scores at T1 and T2 were calculated (T test for paired samples) and results obtained were compared between the two groups (non-parametric test U, Mann-Whitney). In this way we were able to eliminate the "holiday effect". Groups were eventually divided by gender for further independent analysis.

Fig. 1 and 2 Comparison between sub groups "anxious" with STAI- Trait scores >39 at first measurement (T1) and after one week holiday (T2) for Mindfulness variables (divers +4.4%, controls -1.3%, Mann-Whitney U test p:o,oo1) and trait anxiety (divers -9.03%, controls -2.78%, U test p: o,oo5).