Pulmonary Functions In Sport: Assessing The Effects Of Aerobic Exercise Program In University Football Players

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of aerobic exercise programs on pulmonary functions in football players at university level. Methods: Thirty (30) players were distributed into two groups. Group 1 (n=15) was given an aerobic exercise regimen. Group 2 (n=13) was accepted as the control group. Pulmonary functions including [Vital Capacity (VC), Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), Forced Expiratory Volume (FEV1) and Forced Expiratory Rate (FEV1/FVC) were assessed before and after intervention. Results: The results indicated that football players’ basic pulmonary function parameters, measured prior to the intervention, were VC=3.70, fvc=4.50, FEV=3.20 and FEVI/FVC=.67. However, the same parameters were found better in post-test results and measured as VC=3.60, FVC=4.50, FEV=3.10 and FEVI/FVC=.66. Conclusion: It has been concluded that aerobic exercises are efficient in improving pulmonary functions. Since the improvements in pulmonary function tests were greater in the players who performed the aerobic exercise as compared with those players who did not receive any exercise intervention. Hence, it has been recommended that football players should be encouraged to perform this exercise program.