Pulmonary function in former endurance athletes

Maximal respiratory pressures and pulmonary function in male runners

To determine the effects of long term exercise on respiratory muscle strength, maximal inspiratory (Pl max) and expiratory (PE max) pressures, pulmonary volumes and capacities and anthropometric parameters were measured in a group of 101 male runners aged 16 to 58 years. The runners exhibited significantly (p less than 0.05) lower PE max (202 +/- 41 cm H2O and significantly greater residual lung volumes (RV) (2.08 +/- 0.49 L) than predicted values for normal subjects of similar height and age. Forced vital capacities were not different (p greater than 0.05) from values reported for normal non-smoking populations. These data suggest that running may cause a non-pathological increase in RV, perhaps mediated by reductions in expiratory muscle strength. Additionally, current RV regression equations developed for normal subjects may be inappropriate for use in running populations.

Lung function and nervous system involvement in asbestosis

A group of 115 patients with asbestosis of the lungs was tested in detail for neurological functions and lung functions in order that any possible impaired pulmonary function and neurological signs (especially peripheral neuropathy) could be discovered. Attention was also paid to finding out whether peripheral neuropathy, which is frequently encountered among asbestosis patients, had any role in decreased pulmonary function. A slight trend towards lowered spirometrical values (vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in one second, maximal mid-expiratory flow and maximal expiratory flow at 25% of vital capacity) was found for the group of patients with peripheral neuropathy. No differences in diffusing capacity were found between the groups of patients either with or without peripheral neuropathy. We concluded that the spirometrical findings are more indicative of a parallel phenomenon than a causal factor. Nor was the involvement of the central nervous system associated with decreased pulmonary function. In short, the pulmonary dysfunction of our asbestosis patients did not appreciably contribute to the occurrence of nervous system involvement, whether central or peripheral.

Physiological characteristics of young well-trained swimmers

The purpose of this study was to describe body composition, muscular strength, pulmonary function, and aerobic capacity of young swimmers, after 6 years of training. Twelve male members of a competitive swim team, ranging in age for 13 to 16 years, served as subjects. Each subject was measured on 2 separate days at approximately the same time of day on each occasion. On day one, body composition, muscular strength, TLC, FVC, FEV1.0, FRC, RV, and resting DLc0 were determined. On day 2, height, weight, VE max Hr max, and VO2 max were measured. Results indicated that children who train to swim competitively: (1) are lower than average in percent body fat (10.8%) as determined by hydrostatic weighing, (2) are muscularly fit as indicated by the Oregon Cable-Tension Strength Test, and (3) have cardiorespiratory capacities which are greater than one would expect to see in untrained youth of similar ages.

Lung function as a risk factor for coronary heart disease

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