A cross sectional study on lung functions in athletes, singers, and individuals with sedentary lifestyles in Ahmadu Bello University, Bello

Abstract

Physical activity when performed regularly has beneficial effects on the various systems of the body, pulmonary functions inclusive. This study was aimed at determining the effect singing and athletics have on the lung functions as compared to sedentary lifestyle, and whether athletes differ in lung functions from singers in Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. Anthropometric data was also matched with spirometric parameters. Spirometric parameters: Forced Expiratory Volume in one second (FEV₁), Forced Vital Capacity(FVC) and the ratio of Forced Expiratory Volume in one second to Forced Vital Capacity(FEV₁/FVC%) were assessed in randomly selected 60 healthy, non- smoking, non-obese male subjects 15-30years of age, that included athletes, singers and sedentary individuals and grouped as such. The mean FEV₁ for singers (3.33±0.11) and athletes 3.39±0.13 was significantly higher (p=0.007 and p=0.002 respectively) than that for sedentary control (2.83±0.09). The mean FVC for singers (4.07±0.12) and athletes (4.17±0.14) was significantly higher (p=0.015 and p=0.003 respectively) than that for sedentary group (3.57±0.11). The difference in means of FEV₁ and FVC between athletes and singers were of no statistical significance. There was no significant difference in the mean FEV₁/FVC% amongst the groups, 79.68±1.66, 82.40±2.43 and 81.63±2.15 for sedentary, singers and athletes respectively. Singers and athletes had a higher body weight than sedentary, but the mean age for the sedentary control was higher. In conclusion, the study showed a better pulmonary function in both athletes and singers compared to sedentary control with a positive correlation to weight. Singers did not differ in pulmonary functions when compared to athletes.

Keywords: Athletes, Forced expiratory volume, Forced vital capacity, Singers, Sedentary