Comparison of the Lung Function in Response to Physical Activity in Two Different Climates

Abstract

Aims: As factors that affect the pulmonary functioning, different climatic conditions and physical activities can produce respiratory diseases. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of physical activities on the pulmonary functioning in 12-14 years old females in two different Kerman and Gorgan climatic conditions. Materials & Methods: In the semi-experimental study, 128 female students of the elementary schools, aged between 12 and 14 years, were studied in Kerman and Gorgan (n=64 per city) in 2013. The subjects were selected through random cluster method. The pulmonary functioning test was done before, immediately after, 7min after, and 20min after the physical activities. The peak expiratory flow (PEF), the expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), the forced vital capacity (FVC), the maximum expiratory flow at 50% of forced vital capacity (MEF50%) were measured. More than 15% reductions in FEV1 and PEF after the activities were explained as Exercise Induced Asthma. Data was analyzed by SPSS 19 software using repeated measurement of variences and Chi-square tests. Findings: There was no significant difference in either FEV1 or PEF between Kerman and Gorgan cities (p>0.05). Nevertheless, there was a significant difference in the mean FVC between the cities (p=0.001). In total, there was more pulmonary-functioning drop after the activities in Kerman than Gorgan. Conclusion: More than average severe physical activities reduces the pulmonary capacity in 12-14 years old female, which cool and dry climate leads to more drop in the pulmonary functioning after the activities, as well as the continuance of the drop, than the wet climate.