ABSTRACT
Pulmonary ventilation is generally known to have a linear relationship with oxygen consumption at different levels of exercise. Lung function parameters tend to have a relationship with lifestyle such as regular exercise and non- exercise. Our main aim was to explore the relation between exercise, body mass index and lung function as well as cardio-respiratory fitness. A total of 39 male students from the University of Taibah volunteered in the study, aged 18-24 years [19.7 +/- 1.37]. The subjects were divided Into two groups, 20 were athletes who had exercised regularly in the past few years as a players in volleyball handball football and swimming teams, and the remaining 19 served as controls were non-exercising, and non-athletes. The weight and height were measured to determine the body mass index [BMI] and the lung functions were tested by spirometer [Forced vital capacity, FVC, and forced expiratory volume in the first second FEV 1%], and Cardio-respiratory fitness was measured by a maximal treadmill test [MTT]. FVC, and FEV, but not FEV1/FVC% was significantly higher in athletes than non-athletes. MTT was found to be significantly different in athletes when compared to the non-exercising group. Subjects who were athletes with significant low [BMI] was associated with better cardio-respiratory fitness and respiratory function. The results showed that exercise and body mass index are associated with better cardio-respiratory fitness, but respiratory function contributed little to this association in athletes and non-athletes