Comparative Study of Pulmonary Function Tests in Young Freestyle Swimmers and Sedentary population

Devendra Manohar Patil; Jayashree V Gadkari

Volume : VII, Issue : XI, November - 2018

Comparative Study of Pulmonary Function Tests in Young Freestyle Swimmers and Sedentary population

Devendra Manohar Patil, Jayashree V Gadkari

Abstract :

Introduction: The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of swimming on lung functions. Pulmonary function tests (PFTs) of young freestyle swimmers were compared with those of sedentary individuals. Swimming works the heart, lungs and muscles. This trains the body to use oxygen more efficiently, which is generally reflected in declines in resting heart rate and respiratory rate. The thoracic and abdominal muscle strength plays an important role in pulmonary functions and diffusing lung capacity. So the current study compares to test whether lung functions are modified by swimming. Material and Methods: The present study was carried out at tertiary health care centre of Mumbai on 60 subjects of age group 18 – 25 years after the informed and written consent by forming 2 groups. The study group, comprising of 30 swimmers, practicing for at least 3 months regularly with one session of 30–60 minutes duration per day and minimum three days in a week. The control group comprised of 30 subjects who are sedentary individuals. Respiratory rate, eath holding time, FVC, FEV1, and FEV1/FVC was measured using computerized pulmonary testing machine. The various data was collected, compiled, statistically analysed and parameters were compared using unpaired t test. Results: There was a significant difference in the mean and standard deviation of pulmonary function test parameters between two groups with better lung function parameters in swimmers group (p<0.0001). Conclusion: Regular exercise enhances physical capabilities and physiological responses of the human body. The cause of improved respiratory functions and flow rates after swimming was increased pulmonary capacity and thereby improving the lung functioning. Swimmers have greater pulmonary efficiency than non–swimmers which acts as a predictor of performance.