ORIGINAL ARTICLES   

Minerva Pneumologica 2006 June;45(2):121-8

Copyright © 2006 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Effects of detraining on pulmonary function and performance in young male swimmers

Sambanis M.

Department of Physical Education and Sport Science at Serres Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece

Aim. The purpose of this study was to examine if detraining of 50 days has effects on pulmonary function and performance in young male swimmers.
Methods. In this study took part 48 male swimmers (aged 12-14) who were separated in two groups A and B on the basis of a special questionnaire. The swimmers of group A (n=27) participated during the detraining in various athletic activities of moderate intensity 3-4 times a week. The swimmers of group B (n=21) abstained from such activities. All the swimmers were submitted in spirometer control with Pony Graphic Spirometer at the beginning and at the end of the detraining period. They were tested for vital capacity (VC), forced vital capacity (FVC), and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1). They also participated in swimming test 100 m front-crawl at the beginning and the end of detraining period.
Results. From the results the rates of respiratory parameters showed very big decrease for the VC (6.74%), FVC (4.86%) and FEV1 (3.64%) for group B. On the contrary, for the swimmers of group A, who participated in activities of medium intensity for 3-4 days a week, the decreases were smaller, that is for the VC (2.13%), FVC (1.93%) and FEV1 (2.31%) respectively. In the swimming test of 100 m front-crawl it was observed a decrease of 1.59% and 1.86% at the beginning and the end of the detraining period for group A and B respectively.
Conclusion. In conclusion, the decrease observed in the respiratory parameters (VC and FVC), especially for Group B, led to a small decrease in swimming performance.