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Static and Dynamic Lung Volumes in Swimmers and Their Ventilatory Response to Maximal Exercise

  • RESPIRATORY PHYSIOLOGY
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose

While the static and dynamic lung volumes of active swimmers is often greater than the predicted volume of similarly active non-swimmers, little is known if their ventilatory response to exercise is also different.

Methods

Three groups of anthropometrically matched male adults were recruited, daily active swimmers (n = 15), daily active in fields sport (Rugby and Football) (n = 15), and recreationally active (n = 15). Forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), and maximal voluntary ventilation (MVV) was measured before and after exercise to volitional exhaustion.

Results

Swimmers had significantly larger FVC (6.2 ± 0.6 l, 109 ± 9% pred) than the other groups (5.6 ± 0.5 l, 106 ± 13% pred, 5.5 ± 0.8, 99% pred, the sportsmen and recreational groups, respectively). FEV1 and MVV were not different. While at peak exercise, all groups reached their ventilatory reserve (around 20%), the swimmers had a greater minute ventilation rate than the recreational group (146 ± 19 vs 120 ± 87 l/min), delivering this volume by breathing deeper and slower.

Conclusions

The swimmers utilised their larger static volumes (FVC) differently during exercise by meeting their ventilation volume through long and deep breaths.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the participants for giving their time freely.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Cardiff School of Sport, Cardiff Metropolitan University, Cardiff, UK

    Bryn Rosser-Stanford, Karianne Backx & Rachel Lord

  2. Faculty of Life Sciences and Education, University of South Wales, Lower Glytaff Campus, Cemetery Road, Pontypridd, CF37 1DL, UK

    Edgar Mark Williams

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  1. Bryn Rosser-Stanford
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  2. Karianne Backx
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  3. Rachel Lord
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  4. Edgar Mark Williams
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Correspondence to Edgar Mark Williams.

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Rosser-Stanford, B., Backx, K., Lord, R. et al. Static and Dynamic Lung Volumes in Swimmers and Their Ventilatory Response to Maximal Exercise. Lung 197, 15–19 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00408-018-0175-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00408-018-0175-x

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