Abstract
The present study was performed to clarify the characteristics of lung function in weightlifters. The study population consisted of 15 athletes trained in weightlifting (W group) and 13 untrained students (N group). Anthropometric measurements were obtained for all subjects, and the greatest weight lifted during an athletic event was recorded for each weightlifter. Vital capacity (VO, forced vital capacity (FVO, forced expiratory volume in I s (FEV_<1.0>), expiratory peak flow (PF), and respiratory muscle strength (maximal inspiratory mouth pressure [PImax] and maximal expiratory mouth pressure [PEmax]) were measured in both groups. Student' s unpaired t-test was used for analysis of differences between groups. Pearson's correlation coefficient was used for analysis of the relationships between lung function and anthropomorphic parameters in each group. VC and FVC were significantly greater in the W group than the N group. Similarly, PImax and PEmax values were significantly greater in the W group than the N group. However, respiratory muscle strength was not related to anthropometric data, other aspects of lung function, or weight lifted in the event. These observations indicated that weightlifters have greater respiratory muscle strength than untrained individuals, but there was no evidence of an effect of respiratory muscle strength on weightlifting performance.
