Abstract
This study aimed to examine the effects of sport-specific training on selected respiratory parameters in female cross-country skiers and volleyball players. A total of 36 women voluntarily participated in the study, including 12 cross-country skiers (age: 19.17 ± 1.11 years), 12 volleyball players (age: 20.42 ± 2.19 years), and 12 sedentary controls (age: 20.42 ± 2.27 years). Pulmonary function values were measured using a spirometer under standardized conditions. Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS v30. Since the data showed a normal distribution, a one-way ANOVA was applied to compare mean respiratory parameters among groups, followed by Tukey’s post-hoc test for pairwise comparisons. The results indicated that forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV₁), the FEV₁/forced vital capacity ratio (FEV₁/FVC), peak expiratory flow rate (PEF), forced expiratory flow between 25-75% of vital capacity (FEF₂₅-₇₅%), and maximal voluntary ventilation (MVV) were significantly higher in cross-country skiers than in sedentary participants (p <0.05). Moreover, cross-country skiers demonstrated significantly higher FEV₁/FVC and FEF₂₅-₇₅% values compared to volleyball players (p <0.05). Volleyball players exhibited significantly higher PEF and MVV values than sedentary participants (p <0.05), while no significant differences were found in the remaining parameters (p> 0.05). In conclusion, female cross-country skiers displayed superior respiratory function compared with volleyball players and sedentary women. These findings suggest that the physiological demands and training characteristics of cross-country skiing may contribute more effectively to the enhancement of respiratory capacity.
Description
This study compares respiratory parameters in female athletes from cross-country skiing and volleyball.