Pulmonary diffusing capacity as a predictor of performance in competitive swimming

R. L. Miller, E. Robison, J. B. McCloskey, J. Picken

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

7 Scopus citations

Abstract

Pulmonary diffusing capacity has been noted by many investigators to be higher in championship swimmers than in average swimmers and in the non-swimming population. We measured pulmonary diffusing capacity (D(L)CO) and other parameters in 22 members of a collegiate swimming team and studied the relationship between pulmonary diffusing capacity and swimming performance. We also investigated change in lung function over a season of training and racing. Results suggested that while most good swimmers had above average diffusing capacities, there was no statistically significant difference in performance between those swimmers with high D(L)CO (≥110% predicted value) and those with a low D(L)CO (<100% predicted value). It was also determined that there was not a good correlation between performance (measured by either 'best time' or 'average time') and lung function (D(L)CO or VC).

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)91-96
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness
Volume29
Issue number1
StatePublished - 1989
Externally publishedYes

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