Abstract

Background and Aim: The lungs, with their better surface area, are straight open to the outside environment and are greatly prejudiced by epidemiological, environmental and occupational factors. For the functional status of the lungs, pulmonary function testing has major role. Present study was aimed to study the influence of acute exercise on pulmonary function tests in normal young individuals. Materials and Method: Present study was conducted at Department of Physiology, Index Medical college Hospital and Research Centre, Indore. A total of 102 students comprising of 51 males and 51 females in the age group of 17-22 years were divided into four groups based on their body mass index as Underweight, normal, overweight and obese individuals. Respiratory parameters were measured at rest and after an incremental form of acute exercise in the bicycle ergometer. Results: No significant changes were observed in all the four groups before and after exercise in males. However the post exercise values of FVC and VC were reduced than the baseline values in overweight and obese females (p < 0.01). Conclusion: Acute exercise did not significantly affect the respiratory parameters. However the body fat distribution of the individual may significantly influence the ventilatory response to acute exercise in otherwise healthy individuals.

Authors and Affiliations