Key result
Intense swimming is linked to greater lung growth and reduced FEV1/FVC regardless of allergic sensitization.
Why the study?
Competitive swimmers have larger spirometric values than other athletes but are at increased risk for asthma or airway hyperresponsiveness, and the relationship between lung volume growth and obstructive abnormalities is unclear.
Does intense swimming activity affect lung volumes and airway responsiveness in young competitive swimmers?
Population
34 children/adolescents aged 7-19 years trained for competitive swimming
Comparison
Lung function and airway responsiveness related to age and swimming exposure
Design
Cross-sectional study
Authors
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May indicate physiological lung growth variant in young swimmers rather than obstruction; leaves open need for longitudinal confirmation.
Cross-Sectional (n=34)
Does intense swimming activity affect lung volumes and airway responsiveness in young competitive swimmers?
Intense swimming activity in youth may cause greater than normal lung growth, with a reduction in FEV1/FVC that likely represents a physiological variant rather than true obstruction.
Silvestri et al. (2012) conducted a cross-sectional in Competitive swimming (n=34). Intense swimming activity was evaluated on Relationships between lung function data (FEV1, FVC) and age. Intense swimming activity was associated with greater than normal lung growth and a reduction in FEV1/FVC, irrespective of allergic sensitization or airway hyperresponsiveness.
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