834 EP103 – Lung function in elite athletes: the recipe for a long life?

Background Pulmonary function testing provides important insight regarding health; the vital capacity (VC) is so named because of its association with survival and longevity. Interpretation of pulmonary function requires cross-reference to normative data from population-based reference values. Objective To evaluate the pulmonary function of a cohort of elite athletes and compare with the recent, highly-validated global lung function initiate (GLI) reference values. Design Retrospective cross-sectional comparison study. Setting Internationally competitive/elite sport. Patients Female and male elite athletes in a funded programme, preparing for Olympic and Paralympic level competition. Interventions and outcome Report of spirometry findings, including forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and vital capacity (VC), undertaken as part of a systematic process, to optimise respiratory health. Results Pulmonary function tests were evaluated from 311 athletes, across 20 Olympic and 13 paralympic sports (48% female, mean +/- SD age: 25 ± 5 years). Supra-normal FEV1 and FVC values were identified in 14% and 9% of the cohort respectively; there was an FEV1 and FVC positive median bias (standard residual [SR]) of 0.33 and 0.60 respectively, when compared with the GLI reference range (Figure 1). Evidence of airflow obstruction (based on FEV/VC <LLN) was observed in 54 (17%) of athletes, 11 (20%) of whom had a supra-normal FVC values. When these athletes were excluded, the group median FEV1 and FVC SR bias did not change significantly, at 0.38 and 0.58, respectively. Lung function values were greater in aquatic and endurance sports-based athletes (both p<0.001). Conclusions Pulmonary function in elite athletes and specifically those partaking in aquatic-based and endurance based sport, is greater than GLI population reference values. The reason for this is unclear but these findings may be associated with performance and long-term health benefits.