Changes in Pulmonary Function and Peak Oxygen Consumption in Response to Interval Aerobic Training in Sedentary Girls

There is a significant relationship between pulmonary function and general health and mortality. The matching between ventilation and perfusion is an effective factor in pulmonary function. This study investigated the effect of 24 sessions of interval aerobic training on pulmonary volumes and capacities and maximal oxygen consumption in sedentary girl students. In this experimental study with pre- and post-test design, 30 healthy sedentary girl students were selected and randomly allocated to experimental (N = 15) or control (N = 15) groups. The experimental group performed 24 sessions of 45 minute interval aerobic running while the control group had no training program. Before and after the training program, pulmonary volumes and capacities and peak oxygen consumption were evaluated via spirometry tests and Bruce treadmill protocol, respectively. Exercise training resulted in 62% increase in ERV (p = 0.004), 65% increase in PEV (p = 0.03), 35% increase in MVV (p = 0.03), and 23% increase in VO2max (p = 0.001). Also, training had no significant effect on TV, IRV, FVC, PIV, and FEV1/FVC. In spite of increase in TV, IRV, and FEV1, FVC, PIV, MEF-25%FVC, FMEF-25%-75%FVC, and FEV1/FVC, training had no significant effect on these variables. However, the effect of training on the increase of ERV, PEF, MEF-50%FVC, MEF-75%FVC, MVV and VO2peak was significant (p < 0.05). Aerobic training in young girls improves capability and coordination of respiratory muscles, especially expiratory muscles, and causes improvement in lung function via increasing some lung volumes and capacities.