Luka Pezelj1, Boris Milavic2, Marko Erceg2
1University of Split, Faculty of Maritime Studies, Split, Croatia
2University of Split, Faculty of Kinesiology, Split, Croatia
Respiratory Parameters in Elite Finn-Class Sailors
Monten. J. Sports Sci. Med. 2019, 8(1), 5-9 | DOI: 10.26773/mjssm.190301
Abstract
Spirometry is an essential test for assessing the state of the respiratory system. It provides the measurement of the ventilation volumes and flows expressed in absolute and relative values. Among elite athletes, the values of ventilation parameters are usually higher than the norm; therefore the interpretation of individual results of elite athletes in relation to the general healthy population is not advisable. This study aimed to determine the respiratory characteristics of elite sailors in the Olympic Finn class, and the differences between more successful and less successful sailors according to the criterion of sport efficacy. The study included 33 sailors of the Olympic Finn class who participated at the 2015 Finn European Championship. Absolute values of spirometry parameters of elite Finn sailors (FVC-Forced-vital-capacity 5.96±0.79; FEV1-Forced-expiratory-volume-in-1-second 5.10±0.63; FEV1/FVC%-Forced-expiratory-volume-in-1-second/Forced-vital-capacity 86.10±6.38; MVV-Maximum-voluntary-ventilation 190.94±32.64) are higher than the spirometry values of most other athletes. Relative values of spirometry parameters of elite Finn sailors (FVC% 101.24±14.21; FEV1% 102.53±12.09; FEV1/FVC%% 102.00±7.94; MVV% 96.77±18.59) are within the ranges of most elite athletes. Elite sailors can be considered healthy in terms of ventilation, and sailing as a sports activity can be considered beneficial for the ventilatory function of the lungs. More successful sailors had higher mean values of absolute and relative ventilation parameters of FVC, FEV1, and MVV, whereas significant differences were determined in the variables of MVV. The differences between more successful and less successful sailors in the MVV and MVV% variables could be interpreted precisely by the state of respiratory muscles.
Keywords
lung volumes, spirometry, Olympic, dinghy, performance, sailing
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