Associations Between Respiratory Muscle Strength and Maximal Oxygen Uptake Parameters in Endurance Athletes

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between the effect of respiratory muscle strength parameters obtained from endurance athletes and their aerobic capacity levels. Methods: A total of 70 endurance athletes (23 women and 47 men) voluntarily participated in the study. Respiratory muscle strength was measured using a digital spirometer. Maximum VO2 was evaluated using the cardiopulmonary exercise test system (Cosmed K5). Results: As a result of the study, it was determined that in female endurance athletes, Maximum Inspiratory Pressure (MIP) and Maximum Expiratory Pressure (MEP) values were related to the End-Tidal Carbon Dioxide Pressure (PETCO2) value at maximum load. In male endurance athletes, it was determined that MEP values were related to PETCO2 values at maximum load, End-Tidal Oxygen Pressure (PETO2) values at maximum load, MaxVO2 values, VO2 values at RCP, and VO2 values at Ventilatory Threshold (VT). In addition, it was determined that in male endurance athletes, the MIP value was related to the VCO2 value at Ventilatory Threshold (RCP) and the VTidal value at maximum load. The other sub-parameters of maximum oxygen consumption (VO2) examined were not found to be related to respiratory muscle strength. Conclusions: The present findings indicate that respiratory muscle strength may be associated with selected cardiopulmonary exercise variables in endurance athletes. However, because this was a cross-sectional study, no causal inference can be made. Prospective and intervention studies are required to clarify these associations.