Influence of endurance training on respiratory system

Introduction: The influence of physical activity on human health is an issue frequently discussed in many fields of medicine, nonetheless there are few data concerning the effect of endurance training on respiratory system. Aims and Objectives: The aim of the study was to compare the spirometric parameters between the group of amateur male long-distance runners and the reference group of men in Pomerania to check whether endurance training affects the respiratory system. Methods: The study included 31 marathon runners(MR) and 82 men(CG), the representative sample of population, aged from 35 to 66 years old. Researchers used a questionnaire, performed anthropometric and spirometric examination. Body mass index(BMI), waist circumference(WC), waist-hip ratio(WHR), smoking status(SS) and obstructive lung diseases(OLD) were included in the analysis. Results: MR had larger VC, FVC, FEV1 than CG. Tiffeneau ratio was similar in both groups. The groups differed from each other in some aspects-BMI, WC, pack years; but the analysis proved that it did not influence the results of the study. Conclusions: Endurance training improves respiratory system functioning. MR achieved better spirometric values than CG. The study did not show OLD to be related with long-distance running.