The relationship between peripheral muscle strength and respiratory function and respiratory muscle strength in athletes

Abstract

The aim of this study is to determine the relationship between peripher-al muscle strength, respiratory function and respiratory muscle strength in athletes. The study included a total of 150 elite athletes (judo, rowing, gymnastics) (age, 16.94±2.37 years; length, 167.70±12.23 cm; body weight, 62.87±17.33 kg; body mass index, 21.95±2.92 kg/m 2 ). Isomed 2000 isokinetic dynamometer was used to assess peripheral muscle strength. The strength of the dominant side knee flexor and extensor muscles was evaluated at 60°/sec and 180°/sec. At the end of the eval-uation; knee flexion and extension peak torque (PT) values and flexion and extension PT values rates were obtained at 60°/sec and 180°/sec. Respiratory function and respiratory muscle strength of the athletes were evaluated using a digital spirometer. To assess respiratory func-tion, forced vital capacity maneuver and maximal minute ventilation test; to assess the strength of the respiratory muscles, maximum inspi-ratory pressure and maximal expiratory pressure tests were performed. There was a strong relationship between muscle strength of knee flex-or and extensor muscles and respiratory function (r=-0.268/0.813, P < 0.05). There was a strong moderate correlation between knee flexor and extensor muscle strength and all parameters of respiratory muscle strength (r=0.206/0.411, P < 0.05). The knee flexor and extensor muscle strength, respiratory function and respiratory muscle strength develops parallel to each other and the codevelopment of these parameters to-gether with special exercises to increase respiratory muscle strength will improve the performance of the athletes.