Int J Sports Med 1989; 10(1): 43-47
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-1024872
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Development of Valid Pulmonary Function Equations for Trained Athletes*

J. R. Morrow, Jr.1 , P. J. Van Handel2 , P. W. Bradley3
  • 1Department of HPER, Melcher Gymnasium 123, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77004
  • 2Physiology Laboratory, Sports Science Program, US Olympic Committee, Colorado Spirngs, CO 80909
  • 3Quinton Instruments, Seattle, WA 98121-2791
* This work was supported by the United States Olympic Foundation (Grant 144-X-OH) and by the Sports Sciences Program of the Olympic Committe.
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
14 March 2008 (online)

Abstract

The validity of commonly recommended pulmonary function prediction equations (Bulletin Européen de Physiopathologie Respiratoire, Clinical Respiratory Physiology) was tested with two samples (n1 = 156; n2 = 218) of well-trained athletes. Pulmonary function measures (FVC, TLC, RV, FEF25%-75%, FEV1.0, PEF, RV/TLC ratio, FEV1.0/FVC ratio) were typically very reliable but inaccurately predicted with recommended equations based upon anthropometric characteristics. Newly developed “unisex” regression equations were developed with “dummy” coding of gender (i. e., 0 = female; 1 = male), age, height, weight, and various interactions. The new equations were validated with a subsample of group one, cross-validated with the remaining portion of group one, and then cross-validated again with the 218 subjects from sample two. The newly created pulmonary function prediction equations are more valid for well-trained athletes than the equations in use for the general population.

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