Study of lung functions in adolescent runners and non-runners

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate lung functions in forty athletes and forty non-athletes in age range of 13-20 years. The athletes selected for this study are given training since last three years in running event. The variables studied were tidal volume(TV), forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second(FEV1), forced expiratory volume in three seconds(FEV3), forced expiratory volume in six second(FEV6), Inspiratory capacity(IC), expiratory reserve volume(ERV), & maximum voluntary ventilation(MVV) were found significantly higher in athletes than non-athletes. The findings suggest that during adolescence, development of lung under proper nutritional and health conditions is governed by the process of growth with negligible additional effect of physical activity. However, physical exercises during growth may help in developing a reduced resistance to expiration and a greater endurance in respiratory muscles.