IJSR - International Journal of Scientific Research

Vivek Kumar Sharma; Senthil Kumar Subramanian; Rajathi Rajendran; Jean Fredrick; Dinesh Thangavel

Volume : VIII, Issue : VIII, August - 2019

Comparison of cardiopulmonary function, predicted VO2max, and European fitness tests between adolescent athlete and non–athlete boys – A cross–sectional study

Vivek Kumar Sharma, Senthil Kumar Subramanian, Rajathi Rajendran, Jean Fredrick, Dinesh Thangavel

Abstract :

Components of health–related physical fitness that includes cardiorespiratory endurance, muscular strength, flexibility, speed of movement and coordination were found to have a positive association with health outcomes. This cross–sectional study aimed to compare the cardiopulmonary function and physical fitness parameters assessed by EUROFIT among adolescent athletes and nonathlete schoolboys aged between 10 –19 years. Thirty boys representing their school at state or national or international level aerobic sports and have undergone physical conditioning for at least one year, were recruited as athletes and 30 age–matched non–athlete students were recruited as controls. Their height, weight, blood pressure, maximal expiratory and inspiratory pressures, peak expiratory flow rate, European fitness test battery were recorded and VO2max was predicted using submaximal treadmill exercise testing. Participants in both groups were of normal weight and were within normal range of BMI. Predicted VO2max from submaximal exercise testing was significantly higher in athletes. Participants had normal blood pressure in both groups. Respiratory rate was significantly lower in athletes. PEFR, MIP and MEP were higher in athletes but not statistically significant. All the parameters of European fitness test battery was better in athletes. However, it was not statistically significant in stork balance and sit up. We conclude that athletic level physical training improves overall health of the adolescents in terms of strength, flexibility, endurance, agility, balance and speed.