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Pulmonary diffusing capacity as a predictor of performance in competitive swimming.
The Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness
|March 1, 1989
Summary
Championship swimmers often have higher pulmonary diffusing capacity (DLCO). However, this study found no significant link between DLCO levels and swimming performance in collegiate athletes.
Area of Science:
- Sports Medicine
- Pulmonary Physiology
- Exercise Science
Background:
- Pulmonary diffusing capacity (DLCO) is often higher in elite swimmers compared to the general population.
- Previous research suggests a potential link between lung function and athletic performance in swimmers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between pulmonary diffusing capacity (DLCO) and swimming performance in collegiate swimmers.
- To examine changes in lung function over a competitive swimming season.
Main Methods:
- Pulmonary diffusing capacity (DLCO) and vital capacity (VC) were measured in 22 collegiate swimmers.
- Swimming performance was assessed using "best time" and "average time" metrics.
- Lung function parameters were monitored throughout a season of training and competition.
Main Results:
- While most high-performing swimmers exhibited above-average DLCO, no statistically significant performance difference was found between swimmers with high (≥110% predicted) and low (<100% predicted) DLCO.
- A weak correlation was observed between swimming performance metrics (best/average time) and lung function measures (DLCO/VC).
Conclusions:
- Elevated pulmonary diffusing capacity (DLCO) may be common in good swimmers but does not appear to be a significant predictor of individual swimming performance.
- Lung function, specifically DLCO and VC, does not strongly correlate with competitive swimming performance in collegiate athletes.