AbstractBackground: Pulmonary function tests are of significance in assessing the functional status of lungs in different age groups exposed to varied conditions of physical activity and to predict the clinical outcome. Aims: A study has been conducted to evaluate and compare the physiological effects of aging on respiratory functions in sedentary individuals to the professional swimmers. Settings and Design: This cross-sectional study was conducted in clinical lab of physiology department on 75 healthy male sedentary subjects and 75 healthy male professional swimmers in the age range of 26 to 70 years divided further into three groups, 26 to 40 years, 41 to 55 years and 56 to 70 years. Materials and Methods: FVC, FEV1, FEV1%, and PEF 50% were spirometric parameters used to evaluate the pulmonary function and differences between groups. Lung Function Test was performed using– computerized spirometer “Medspiror”. All the values were recorded and comparison tables were derived after statistical analysis using SPSS statistical software version 20.0 and the results were analyzed. Results and Conclusion: The Pulmonary Function values derived were compared between the study groups. In the present study the professional swimmers were having higher mean value of FVC, FEV1, FEV1%, and PEF 50% as compared to sedentary group. Sedentary age group III (56 to 70 years) has significantly least mean values for the lung function variables compared to all other groups suggesting decline in lung function with age. The professional swimmers have higher mean values than all the sedentary groups suggesting that regular swimming has improved the lung function.

Keywords: lung function test, age, lifestyle.