Table 1.

Group assignment and number of rats in each protocol

Group	Protocol	Number of rats
I	Exercise or sedentary, 48h prior to diving	12
II	Exercise or sedentary, 20h prior to diving	12
III	Exercise or sedentary, 10h prior to diving	12
IV	Exercise or sedentary, 5h prior to diving	12
V	Exercise or sedentary, 30 min prior to diving	12
VI	NO-releasing agent or water, 5 days, last time 20h prior to diving	12
VII	NO-releasing agent or water, once, 30 min prior to diving	12

Total number of rats is presented. There were six exercised and six control rats from groups I–V. Six rats from both groups VI and VII received water instead of a NO donor.