Work

Lung Function Changes with Swim Training in Healthy and Allergic Endurance Athletes

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Background: It is thought that swimming might elicit remarkable chronic lung function improvements that were not observed in land-based sports. However, there is no consensus on whether this is mainly attributable to genetic predisposition or specific training. This study aimed to characterize athletes’ lung function according to their swimming experience. Methods: The sample consisted of 45 male athletes, including 15 swimmers, 15 triathletes, and 15 runners. Spirometry tests were conducted under four conditions: seated on land, prone on land, seated while immersed in water, and prone while immersed in water. The tests were performed on the pool deck and pool, with the order of conditions randomized for each participant. Conclusions: The results of this study do not support the idea that there is a window of opportunity for greater lung function adaptations during childhood due to swim training. The accumulated years of swim training are the reason for the increased measurements of FVC and FEV1 of swimmers. The immersed seated condition measures differences in lung function more accurately relative to swim training experience. Swim training appears to primarily enhance FVC in healthy athletes, while in allergic and asthmatic athletes, it mainly promotes improvements in FEV1/FVC and FEF25–75%.

Source: Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology

DOI: 10.3390/jfmk10020231

Authors: João Rodrigues, Bárbara Jesus, Paulo Caseiro, António Jorge Ferreira, Luís Rama

Institutions: University of Lisbon, Centro Interdisciplinar de Estudo da Performance Humana, University of Coimbra, Polytechnic Institute of Coimbra

Language: English

Topic: Cardiovascular and exercise physiology

Subfield: Complementary and alternative medicine

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,930