Field Observations of Positive Respiratory Effects in Various Sports

Recent studies demonstrated that current European Respiratory Society/American Thoracic Society spirometric reference equations, used in general population, may not be applicable in population of elite ath- letes. Althought it is well known that physical ac- tivity may affect lung volumes, the effect of sport- ing activity on pulmonary function testing in- dices was never examined. The aim of this study was to examine the differences in functional res- piratory parameters in various types of sports by measuring lung volumes and to extend the exist- ing factors as well as sport disciplines which af- fect respiratory function the most.SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A total of ۱۶۳۹ elite male athletes, aged ۱۸- ۳۵ years were divid-ed in۴ groups according to the predominant characteristics of training: skill, power, mixed and endurance athletes. They performed basic anthropometric measurements and spirometry. Groups were compared, and Pearsonʼs simple correlation was performed to test the relation between anthropometric and spirometric char- acteristics of athletes.RESULTS: All anthropometric characteristics significantly differed among groups and correlate with respiratory parameters. The highest correlation was found for body height and weight.CONCLUSIONS: Sports participation is asso-ciated with respiratory adaptation, and the ex- tent of adaptation depends on type of activity. Endurance sports athletes have higher lung volumes in comparison with skill, mixed and power group of sport.

Keywords:

Lung Volumes , Top athlete , Exercise