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Jacques Mayol (April 1, 1927 – December 22, 2001) was the holder of many world records in free diving.

Jacques Mayol was a French national born in Shanghai, China. He was the first free diver to descend to 100 meters (330 feet) (November 23, 1976), and he managed to descend to 105 meters when he was 56 years old. During the scientific research phase of his career, he tried to answer the question of whether or not man had a hidden aquatic potential that could be evoked by rigorous physiological and psychological training.

The film The Big Blue, directed by Luc Besson in 1988, was inspired by his life story (and the life story of the Italian diver Enzo Maiorca); Mayol was one of the screenwriters.

On December 22, 2001, Mayol committed suicide by hanging himself in Elba, Italy, at the age of 74. His ashes were spread over the Tuscany coast.


So my question is in this line.
During the scientific research phase of his career, he tried to answer the question of whether or not man had a hidden aquatic potential that could be evoked by rigorous physiological and psychological training.

Do anyone know if there have been any answers on that question about a hidden aquatic potential.

I saw this, and found it interesting

http://www.pref.okinawa.jp/summit/tokusyu/jm1.htm

I do know that the more the human body is pushed to go underwater and hold their breath the longer they will be able to do it

The only thing that I have read on the matter is about the Aquatic Ape Theory. It says humans went through an aquatic or semi-aquatic stage in our evolution and that this accounts for many features seen in human anatomy and physiology. Albeit just a theory.

I don't believe he answered that question.

Considering the evolution theory, it might be possible but the changes would have to take place over time and over generations and exposure to an environment where organisms need to be able to develop their 'aquatic potentials' in order to survive. Other than this, I don't think we can go 'aquatic' just by mere training.

I am sure that a human being can achive, and improve alots of its own potential, own abillities and the already gained understanding with a disciplined physiological and psychological training, and with that become superb at certain action, but can it really evolve in to a say, man-fish, just by hard training? Actually what is this aquatic potential in a human? I think it is all stamina, strenght, like in any activitie. I think human is quite universal at doing various different things, and it is only a matter of time until he gains higher understanding, higher skill of what he is doing.