Lung Function in Adults: Relationship between Time Practice of Physical Activity and Nutritional Status

Year 2016, Volume 4 - Issue 4, 390 - 402, 28.12.2016

Paulo Roberto Da Sılva Wagner Luis Rıpka Leandra Ulbrıcht

Abstract

Background: Much is said about the importance of physical activity to improve lung function
in people with some kind of respiratory disease, however, there are few studies comparing
long-term impact of physical activity on lung function among regular physical activity
practitioners without complaints or history of lung disease. The objective of this study was to
observe the relationship between time of physical activity, nutritional status and lung function
variables in Brazilian adults. Methods: a descriptive exploratory study was conducted with
799 individuals (268 men and 531 women) aged between 18 and 59 years old who participate
in physical activity programs offered by a municipal sports and recreation department. The
volunteers were subjected to forced spirometry test to collect data concerning: values of
Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), Forced Expiratory Volume on the first second (FEV1) and Peak
Expiratory Flow (PEF). Additionally, body mass and height were identified using digital scale
with coupled stadiometer to calculate the body mass index (BMI= kg/m²). This index was
used to grade individuals into three categories: normal nutritional status, overweight or obese.
A questionnaire on regular physical activity practice time was also applied. Data were
processed adopting a 5% significance level. Results: There was significant association
between nutritional status and pulmonary function test (x²= 16.39; p= 0.003) for men. An
association between increased BMI and the risk of restrictive lung disease was confirmed. In
women the figures were x²= 3.41 (p= 0.492). Additionally, there was no significant
association between pulmonary function test and time of physical activity in either gender.
Conclusion: In this study, the nutritional status confirms its interference on respiratory
function, even among regular practitioners of physical activity, and spirometric results
suggest that long-term physical activity does not promote significant changes on lung
function.

Keywords

Pulmonary function, spirometry, physical activity, FVC, FEV1, PEF

References

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