Forced expiratory volume in one second and peak expiratory flow rate values in non-professional male tennis players

• Published in: Journal of sports medicine and physical fitness 2006-03, Vol.46 (1), p.128-131
• Main Authors: GALANIS, N, FARMAKIOTIS, D, KOURAKI, K, FACHADIDOU, A
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Air breathing; Athletes; Attrition (Research Studies); Biological and medical sciences; Body Composition; Cardiovascular disease; Exercise - physiology; Forced Expiratory Flow Rates; Forced Expiratory Volume; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Humans; Lungs; Male; Males; Middle Aged; Obesity; Predictor Variables; Racquet Sports; Respiratory system: anatomy, metabolism, gas exchange, ventilatory mechanics, respiratory hemodynamics; Scientific Concepts; Smoking - physiopathology; Spirometry; Sports training; Statistical Analysis; Statistical Significance; Tennis; Tennis - physiology; Vertebrates: respiratory system
• ISSN: 0022-4707; 1827-1928

Forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) is a reliable and easily measured lung function index, which is nowadays used for early detection of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. It has also been established recently as an important predictor of all-cause, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular morbidity and mortality in the Western World. Similar implications have been made with regard to peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR). The present study was designed in order to compare the FEV1 and PEFR values of non-professional, smoking and non-smoking male athletes to those predicted for the general, non-athlete population. A total of 141 non-professional tennis players aged 30-74 years were studied (99 smokers and 42 non-smokers). FEV1 and PEFR of all men were measured by means of a one flow spirometer, and compared to those predicted for their age and height, based on formulas for the non-athlete, healthy, non-smoking population. Non-professional tennis players had significantly higher FEV1 and PEFR values, compared to FEV1 and PEFR predicted, respectively. No statistically significant difference was observed between smokers and non-smokers. Our study confirms that even moderate physical activity, such as non-professional tennis, can improve FEV1 and PEFR values, maintaining a normal respiratory function, which is a strong predictor of reduced cardiovascular and overall morbidity and mortality. FEV1 and PEFR are easy to measure parameters that should be used more often for the assessment of general health status.