The comparison of the pulmonary functions of the individuals having regular exercises and sedentary individuals

The object of our study is to determine the differences between the pulmonary functions of individuals having regular and long-term exercises, and sedentary individuals. The study included 29 athletes having regular and long-term exercises, and 27 sedentary individuals who are not interested in any sports branches actively. The parameters such as Forced Expiratory Volume in 1st Second (FEV1), Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF), Vital Capacity (VC), and Maximum Voluntary Ventilation (MVV) of the individuals included in the study have been examined and the results have been analysed with MIR MiniSpir (Via del Maggiolino Roma-Italy) Spirometer. The arithmetic means and standard deviations of data have been obtained in the statistical evaluation. As a result of the findings obtained, Independent Samples t-test has been applied. No significant difference has been found among the age, height, body weight, Body Mass Index (BMI), FEV1 and PEF values of the groups at the end of the test (P>0.05); however, a significant difference has been found among MVV, FVC, and VC values (P<0.05). When the results of the study are evaluated in accordance with literature data, it has been found out that no difference is present between the FEV1 and PEF values of individuals having long-term and regular exercises, and sedentary individuals; however, there is a significant difference among MVV, FVC and VC values. Therefore, it has been found out that the pulmonary functions (MVV, FVC, and VC) of individuals having regular exercises have improved better than that of sedentary individuals. © 2016, Scientific Publishers of India. All rights reserved