Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1 Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Department of Physiology, Tabriz, East Azerbaijan, Iran
2 Exercise Physiology (PhD)TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, Germany
3 Department of Physiotherapy, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran
4 Professor of Faculty of Sport Sciences and Physical Education, University of Coimbra, Portugal
Abstract
Purpose: This study aimed to compare respiratory parameters and sleep quality between physically active and inactive young adult males, while exploring correlations between these domains. Method: In a semi-experimental design, 15 active males (aged 20–23 years; ≥8 hours/week moderate-to-vigorous activity; >2 years sports experience) and 15 inactive males (≤3 hours/week activity; no sports experience) were recruited. Anthropometric measures (height, weight, BMI, body fat percentage, heart rate) were assessed. Pulmonary function—including forced vital capacity (FVC), vital capacity (VC), maximum voluntary ventilation (MVV), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), percentage predicted FEV1 (%FEV1), and maximum expiratory flows at 25% and 75% of FVC (MEF25%, MEF75%)—was evaluated via spirometry (Fukuda ST-95) per American Thoracic Society guidelines. Sleep quality was quantified using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Independent t-tests compared groups; Pearson correlations and multiple linear regressions examined associations (α = 0.05).
Results: Active participants displayed superior respiratory metrics (p < 0.05): higher FVC (p = 0.023), VC (p = 0.002), MVV (p = 0.001), FEV1 (p = 0.001), %FEV1 (p = 0.001), MEF25% (p = 0.026), and MEF75% (p = 0.042). PSQI scores were significantly lower (better) in the active group (4.13 ± 1.18) versus inactive (6.53 ± 2.50; p = 0.002). No baseline differences emerged in age, height, weight, heart rate, fat percentage, or BMI (p > 0.05). In the active group, each 1-unit increase in FEV1, MVV, VC, FVC, and MEF75% was associated with corresponding reductions in sleep quality scores of 0.217, 0.127, 0.370, 0.386, and 0.194 units, respectively (all p > 0.05). Regressions and correlations between respiratory indices and sleep quality were non-significant in both groups. Conclusion: Regular physical activity enhances sleep quality and respiratory function in young males, though direct mechanistic links were not evident in this cohort. These findings advocate exercise as a non-pharmacological strategy for addressing sleep and pulmonary health, warranting larger, diverse studies to elucidate interactions.
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Main Subjects
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