Assessment of cardio-pulmonary efficiency in athletes and non-athletes

Cardiopulmonary efficiency was studied in 18 Indian medical students and 19 state level athletes by estimating maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 max), and other parameters related to oxygen transport i.e., heart rate, O2 pulse, respiratory quotient, ventilation volume, breathing reserve and dysponoeic index, following graded exercise on a treadmill. Higher VO2 max observed in athletes, was due to higher stroke volume and arterio-venous O2 difference. Though athletes had higher breathing reserve at VO2 max work load, their dysponoeic index and ventilation volume at VO2 max did not differ significantly from non-athletes suggesting that athletes were economical in expending energy for work of breathing during exercise.