Correlation between Level of Physical Activity, Aerobic Capacity and Body Mass Index with Vital Lung Capacity in Adolescence

Abstract

The aim of the study is to find correlation between lung function and different health-related parameters: Body Mass Index (BMI), physical activity (PA) and aerobic fitness, to enable us to present an alternative method for improving their pulmonary function. Method: This is an observational analytic cross-sectional study. Forty-three 12-15 years old (26 boys and 17 girls), had no cardiovascular, respiratory and metabolic disease. Subjects performed Bruce exercise testing. Vital capacity was measured using spirometry and physical activity using PAQ-A questionnaire. Correlation between level of physical activity, aerobic capacity, BMI with vital lung capacity was analysed using Pearson trial with p value < 0.05 considered significant. Result: Data has normal distribution. Mean age of participant is 13. Correlation coefficient between vital capacity and BMI showed r = 0.197 p 0.206, Correlation between vital capacity and aerobic capacity showed r = 0.426 p = 0.004. Correlation between vital capacity and physical activity showed r = 0.506 p 0.001 Conclusion: Higher vital lung capacity is correlated with higher aerobic fitness and higher physical activity in adolescence of both genders.