Associations of Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Muscular Endurance Fitness With Pulmonary Function in Physically Active Young Adults

Rationale: While the beneficial effects of physical fitness on general health are well-documented, the specific relationship between different types of physical fitness, particularly cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and muscular endurance fitness (MEF), and lung function in physically active young adults remains less explored. Objective: This study investigated the relationship between CRF and MEF, and their correlation with lung function in physically active young adults. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved a cohort of 1227 physically active young adults without lung diseases. Lung function was assessed using FEV1, FVC, and FEV1/FVC measurements. The 3000-m run was used to assess CRF, and the 2-min push-up and sit-up tests were used to assess MEF. Multivariable linear regression analysis was used to evaluate the relationships between these fitness measures and lung function, adjusting for potential covariates. Results: Enhanced CRF was associated with superior FEV1 and FVC after adjusting for covariates (8 = -.078, p = .015 for FEV1; 8 = -.086, p = .009 for FVC). Push-ups were positively associated with FEV1 (8 = .102, p = .014), but not with FVC. In contrast, sit-ups showed no significant correlation with lung function in the fully adjusted model. Conclusion: The study demonstrated a clear association between improved physical fitness and better lung function in physically active young adults, with various exercises showing distinct associations with lung metrics. Notably, push-ups were particularly associated with higher FEV1. A future prospective study is necessary to determine whether routine exercises, such as push-ups, might lead to greater lung function. (c) 2024 SEPAR. Published by Elsevier Espana, S.L.U. All rights are reserved, including those for text and data mining, AI training, and similar technologies.