Comparison of Respiratory Functions of Athletes Engaged in Different Sports Branches

Year 2012, Volume: 14 Issue: 3, 76 - 81, 13.11.2014

Tülin Atan , Pelin Akyol Mehmet Çebi

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to research pulmonary functions of sedentary males and athletes in different team sports
branches in the same age group. This study was conducted on male athletes in15-16 age group who participate in matches
with license in Samsun. 50 athletes from each of the team sports of football, volleyball, basketballand handball players and
50 sedentary males participated as well; being in total 250 athletes. Among respiratory functions tests; vital capacity (VC),
forced vital capacity (FVC) and maximum voluntary ventilation (MVV) values were measured. As a result of the
measurements VC values of sedentary males were lower than football and handball players (p<0.01). Itwas determined that
VC values of handball players was higher than football, volleyball, basketball players and sedentary males (p<0.05 and
p<0.01). When FVC values were analyzed, first of all it was determined that handball, football and basketball players have
significantly higher values compared to sedentary males (p<0.01). In the comparison between branches FVC values of
volleyball players were significantly lower than football and handball players (p<0.01). FEV1 valueswere significantly higher
among footballand handball players compared to volleyball players and sedentary males (p<0.01). When MVV values were
analyzed, it was observed that football players have higher values compared to volleyball and sedentary males (p<0.01).
MVV results of handball players were significantly higher than sedentary males (p<0.05). When the respiratory rates (RR)
were analyzed, it was determined that values were not significantly different between subjects (p>0.05). As a conclusion, it
was determined that respiratory functions were higher among individuals who do exercise compared to those who do not.
That the respiratory parameters of athletes doing exercise are higher than those who do not shows the positive effect of
training on respiratory system. In addition to this, the difference of respiratory functions between branches shows that the
sport branch influences the respiratory capacity.

Keywords

Athletes; vital capacity; forced vital capacity; maximum voluntary ventilation.