Ventilatory efficiency response is unaffected by fitness level, ergometer type, age or body mass index in male athletes

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the ventilatory efficiency (V_E/VCO₂ slope) and the respiratory control (Vt/Ti slope) in a wide range of athletes and describe the influence of fitness level, age, ergometer type or BMI on these parameters. Ninety-one males (30.4±10.53 years; 175.52±7.45 cm; 71.99±9.35 kg) were analysed retrospectively for the study. Ventilatory efficiency reacted similarly in athletes independently of the fitness level, age, BMI or the ergometer used for testing. No significant differences were found in V_E/VCO₂ slope and the Vt/Ti slope between variables analyzed (P>0.05). The slope of the predictive equations was similar in all cases studied in V_E/VCO₂ slope and the Vt/Ti slope. Moreover, the central control impulse of respiration was not affected by the variables studied. These observations suggest that ventilatory efficiency (V_E/VCO₂ slope) could be a variable fixed by the respiratory system which tends to respond similarly in athletes.