Maximal static pressures and lung volumes in young female swimmers: one year follow-up

The relationship between the growth of lung volumes and the development of maximal static pressures was examined in a 1 year follow-up study of 17 female swimmers, initially less than 12 years of age. Lung volumes were measured by body plethysmography, and maximal static inspiratory and expiratory pressures were generated near residual volume, at functional residual capacity and near total lung capacity (TLC). The results were compared to the regressions obtained from cross-sectional data generated on 59 girls randomly selected from a local school. Height was similar in swimmers and controls. Vital capacity and total lung capacity increased during the year to exceed normal limits in 11 of 17 swimmers. The only significant increase of maximal static pressures during 1 year occurred in expiration near TLC in those swimmers initially less than 10 years of age, and all pressures fell within normal limits. We conclude that large lung volumes in swimmers cannot be accounted for by an increased ability to inflate and deflate the lung by the respiratory muscles.