Pulmonary diffusing capacity of athletes

Abstract

Champion swimmers have been found to have significantly higher steady-state pulmonary diffusing capacities than those measured in normal subjects of comparable age at the same exercise level. Nonactive and moderately active normal subjects, swimmers of average ability, long distance runners, and older ex-athletes were found to show no significant deviation from predicted values of DlCO, either in absolute terms or in relation to body surface area or lung midcapacity. The high DlCO in champion swimmers results from a larger than normal pulmonary capillary blood volume (Vc). It has been observed that normal subjects can increase the measured steady-state Dl during exercise by a “held inspiration“ maneuver, but this increase is caused by an increased membrane diffusion component (Dm) per liter midcapacity and not by an increased Vc. Champion swimmers have a particular need of a high Dl since they must be able to transfer large volumes of oxygen across the lung when the alveolar pO2 has fallen to low levels. Submitted on August 20, 1962