International Journal of Physiology
Open Access
  • Year: 2013
  • Volume: 1
  • Issue: 1

Dynamic Lung Functions as an Evaluation Tool in Assessment of Pulmonary System Adaptability in Trained Athletes

  • Author:
  • T. Raghavendra1, Amrith Pakkala2, C.P. Ganashree3
  • Total Page Count: 4
  • Page Number: 5 to 8

1Associate Professor, Dept of Anesthesiology, Basaveshwara Medical College, Chitradurga

2Professor, Dept of Physiology, PES Institute of Medical Sciences & Research, Kuppam, Chittoor Dist., AP

3Assistant Professor, Dept of Physiology, Basaveshwara Medical College, Chitradurga

Online published on 6 March, 2013.

Abstract

There are conflicting opinions about the degree of adaptability of the respiratory system in delivering the physiological needs in case of severe exercise. Role of the normal respiratory system in delivering oxygen to meet the demands of various degrees of exercise has been a topic of considerable debate. One view holds that the respiratory system is not normally the most limiting factor in the delivery of oxygen, others hold the absence of structural adaptability to physical training cause of limitation of the pulmonary system.

Pulmonary Function Tests were done before & after maximal exercise testing to assess dynamic lung functions in two groups’ viz., athletes & non-athletes.

On studying the differences in dynamic lung functions in two groups of non-athletes and athletes, there was no difference in FVC& FEV1, before or after exercise testing in either.The other flow rates MMEF, PEFR, MEF 25% to 75% were on the higher side in trained subjects which was consistently maintained after exercise testing. A higher adaptability of the respiratory system to the training stimulus in the form of a higher elastic recoil pressure of the lungs and a lower resistance of medium to small airways is suggested as the mechanism of adaptability in this study.

Keywords

Exercise Testing, Airflow Limitation, Dynamic Lung Functions, Ventilatory functions