Comparative analysis of lung function and respiratory muscle strength of swimming athletes in different training phases
Rodrigo Santiago Barbosa Rocha, Lucas Barreto da Rocha Silva, Vitor Hugor Gurjão Da Costa, Matheus Costa Andrade, Camila Silva do Nascimento, Smayk Barbosa Sousa · Artefactum · 2026
Introduction: The respiratory system is influenced during swimming, with changes in lung function and respiratory muscle strength that adapt to the demands that the different phases of sports training impose on the athlete.
Objective: To evaluate and compare lung function and respiratory muscle strength of swimming athletes in different phases of sports training.
Methods: Swimming athletes participated in the study and lung function was assessed by spirometry using the variables forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and FEV1/FVC ratio. Respiratory muscle strength was investigated, including maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP) and maximum expiratory pressure (MEP). The variables were assessed in the pre-season and in the tapering phase.
Results: Data from 56 swimming athletes aged 15.3 ± 6.5 years were analyzed. When analyzing lung function and respiratory muscle strength, it was found that pre-season values were lower than those of the polishing period for FVC (p = 0.0006), FEV1 (p < 0.0001), MIP (p < 0.0009) and MEP (p < 0.0001); however, the FEV1/FVC value (0.12) showed no significant difference. The values of FVC, FEV1 and MIP were higher than the predicted values in the pre-season period; on the other hand, the values of FEV1/FVC and MEP were lower than predicted.
Conclusion: The increase in swimming time with training during the season increased lung function and respiratory muscle strength of swimmers, with competitive swimming being a sport that provides benefits for the development of the respiratory system of athletes.