Download PDF
Int J Sports Med 2013; 34(12): 1051-1057
DOI: 10.1055/s-0033-1345137
Physiology & Biochemistry
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Diffusion Capacity of the Lung in Young and Old Endurance Athletes

H. Degens
1   Institute for Biophysical and Clinical Research into Human Movement, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, United Kingdom
,
J. Rittweger
2   Institute for Biomedical Research into Human Movement and Health, Manchester Metropolitan University
,
T. Parviainen
3   Jyväskylä Central Hospital, Clinical Physiology, Jyvaskyla, Finland
,
K. L. Timonen
3   Jyväskylä Central Hospital, Clinical Physiology, Jyvaskyla, Finland
,
H. Suominen
4   Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, Jyvaskyla, Finland
,
A. Heinonen
4   Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, Jyvaskyla, Finland
,
M. T. Korhonen
4   Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, Jyvaskyla, Finland
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History



accepted after revision 15 March 2013

Publication Date:
14 June 2013 (online)

Also available at
    Permissions and Reprints

Abstract

Lung diffusion capacity (D LCO) declines with age. A significant proportion of older endurance athletes develop exercise-induced hypoxemia (SaO2<95%). We hypothesised that master endurance athletes have a lower D LCO than age-matched non-athletes. We recruited 33 control (16 young; 17 old) and 29 male endurance athletes (13 young; 16 old) during the World Masters Athletics Indoor Championships, 2012 (Jyväskylä, Finland). To measure D LCO the participant exhaled to residual volume and then quickly inhaled to ≥ 90% total lung capacity from a gas source with 0.3% carbon monoxide. The D LCO and transfer coefficient (K CO) were corrected for the actual haemoglobin concentration. Spirometric function was similar in athletes and age-matched controls. D LCO and K CO were 33% and 25% lower in old and young controls, respectively (P<0.001). Although predicted D LCO and K CO were 11%-points higher in athletes than age-matched controls (P<0.001), they were 23% and 16% lower in old athletes than young controls, respectively (P<0.001). D LCO did not correlate with age-graded performance or weekly training hours. The better lung diffusion capacity in male endurance athletes than age-matched controls might be an adaptation to training, self-selection and/or attrition bias. However, the diffusion capacity of the older athlete is lower than that of the young non-athlete.

Key words

master athletes - diffusion capacity - FEV1 - transfer coefficient
 

  • References

  • 1 Global Strategy for the Diagnosis, Management and Prevention of COPD. Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD). In 2013
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 2 Agostoni P, Swenson ER, Bussotti M, Revera M, Meriggi P, Faini A, Lombardi C, Bilo G, Giuliano A, Bonacina D, Modesti PA, Mancia G, Parati G. High-altitude exposure of three weeks duration increases lung diffusing capacity in humans. J Appl Physiol 2011; 110: 1564-1571
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 3 Amara CE, Koval JJ, Paterson DH, Cunningham DA. Lung function in older humans: the contribution of body composition, physical activity and smoking. Ann Hum Biol 2001; 28: 522-536
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 4 Arampatzis A, Degens H, Baltzopoulos V, Rittweger J. Why do older sprinters reach the finish line later?. Exerc Sport Sci Rev 2011; 39: 18-22
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 5 Armour J, Donnelly PM, Bye PT. The large lungs of elite swimmers: an increased alveolar number?. Eur Resp J 1993; 6: 237-247
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 6 Berthelot G, Len S, Hellard P, Tafflet M, Guillaume M, Vollmer JC, Gager B, Quinquis L, Marc A, Toussaint JF. Exponential growth combined with exponential decline explains lifetime performance evolution in individual and human species. Age 2012; 34: 1001-1009
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 7 Boning D, Schwiegart U, Tibes U, Hemmer B. Influences of exercise and endurance training on the oxygen dissociation curve of blood under in vivo and in vitro conditions. Eur J Appl Physiol 1975; 34: 1-10
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 8 Caillaud C, Serre-Cousine O, Anselme F, Capdevilla X, Prefaut C. Computerized tomography and pulmonary diffusing capacity in highly trained athletes after performing a triathlon. J Appl Physiol 1995; 79: 1226-1232
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 9 Courteix D, Obert P, Lecoq AM, Guenon P, Koch G. Effect of intensive swimming training on lung volumes, airway resistance and on the maximal expiratory flow-volume relationship in prepubertal girls. Eur J Appl Physiol 1997; 76: 264-269
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 10 de Bisschop C, Martinot JB, Leurquin-Sterk G, Faoro V, Guenard H, Naeije R. Improvement in lung diffusion by endothelin A receptor blockade at high altitude. J Appl Physiol 2012; 112: 20-25
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 11 Degens H, Craven AJ, Jarvis JC, Salmons S. The use of coloured dye-extraction microspheres to measure blood flow in rabbit skeletal muscle: a validation study with special emphasis on repeated measurements. Exp Physiol 1996; 81: 239-249
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 12 Degens H, Maden-Wilkinson TM, Ireland A, Korhonen MT, Suominen H, Heinonen A, Radak Z, McPhee JS, Rittweger J. Relationship between ventilatory function and age in master athletes and a sedentary reference population. Age 2013; 35: 1007-1015
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 13 Dempsey JA, Johnson BD, Saupe KW. Adaptations and limitations in the pulmonary system during exercise. Chest 1990; 97: 81S-87S
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 14 Dempsey JA, McKenzie DC, Haverkamp HC, Eldridge MW. Update in the understanding of respiratory limitations to exercise performance in fit, active adults. Chest 2008; 134: 613-622
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 15 Hagberg JM, Allen WK, Seals DR, Hurley BF, Ehsani AA, Holloszy JO. A hemodynamic comparison of young and older endurance athletes during exercise. J Appl Physiol 1985; 58: 2041-2046
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 16 Harriss DJ, Atkinson G. Update – Ethical standards in sport and exercise science research. Int J Sports Med 2011; 32: 819-821
    Article in Thieme ConnectPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 17 Hopkins SR, McKenzie DC, Schoene RB, Glenny RW, Robertson HT. Pulmonary gas exchange during exercise in athletes. I. Ventilation-perfusion mismatch and diffusion limitation. J Appl Physiol 1994; 77: 912-917
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 18 Ireland A, Korhonen M, Heinonen A, Suominen H, Baur C, Stevens S, Degens H, Rittweger J. Side-to-side differences in bone strength in master jumpers and sprinters. J Musculoskelet Neuronal Inter 2011; 11: 298-305
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 19 Klocke RA. Influence of aging on the lung. In: Finch CE, Hayflick L. eds. Handbook of the biology of aging. London: Van Nostrand Reinhold Company; 1977: 432-444
    Google Scholar
  • 20 Lavin KM, Straub AM, Uhranowsky KA, Smoliga JM, Zavorsky GS. Alveolar-membrane diffusing capacity limits performance in Boston marathon qualifiers. PLoS One 2012; 7: e44513
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 21 Macintyre N, Crapo RO, Viegi G, Johnson DC, van der Grinten CP, Brusasco V, Burgos F, Casaburi R, Coates A, Enright P, Gustafsson P, Hankinson J, Jensen R, McKay R, Miller MR, Navajas D, Pedersen OF, Pellegrino R, Wanger J. Standardisation of the single-breath determination of carbon monoxide uptake in the lung. Eur Respir J 2005; 26: 720-735
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 22 McClaran SR, Babcock MA, Pegelow DF, Reddan WG, Dempsey JA. Longitudinal effects of aging on lung function at rest and exercise in healthy active fit elderly adults. J Appl Physiol 1995; 78: 1957-1968
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 23 McKenzie DC. Respiratory physiology: adaptations to high-level exercise. Br J Sports Med 2012; 46: 381-384
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 24 McKenzie DC, O'Hare TJ, Mayo J. The effect of sustained heavy exercise on the development of pulmonary edema in trained male cyclists. Resp Physiol Neurobiol 2005; 145: 209-218
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 25 Miller MR, Hankinson J, Brusasco V, Burgos F, Casaburi R, Coates A, Crapo R, Enright P, van der Grinten CP, Gustafsson P, Jensen R, Johnson DC, MacIntyre N, McKay R, Navajas D, Pedersen OF, Pellegrino R, Viegi G, Wanger J. Standardisation of spirometry. Eur Respir J 2005; 26: 319-338
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 26 Newman F, Smalley BF, Thomson ML. Effect of exercise, body and lung size on CO diffusion in athletes and nonathletes. J Appl Physiol 1962; 17: 649-655
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 27 Nielsen HB. Arterial desaturation during exercise in man: implication for O2 uptake and work capacity. Scand J Med Sci Sports 2003; 13: 339-358
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 28 Nystad W, Samuelsen SO, Nafstad P, Langhammer A. Association between level of physical activity and lung function among Norwegian men and women: the HUNT study. Int J Tuberc Lung Dis 2006; 10: 1399-1405
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 29 Otsuki T, Maeda S, Iemitsu M, Saito Y, Tanimura Y, Ajisaka R, Goto K, Miyauchi T. Effects of athletic strength and endurance exercise training in young humans on plasma endothelin-1 concentration and arterial distensibility. Exp Biol Med 2006; 231: 789-793
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 30 Pelkonen M, Notkola IL, Lakka T, Tukiainen HO, Kivinen P, Nissinen A. Delaying decline in pulmonary function with physical activity: a 25-year follow-up. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2003; 168: 494-499
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 31 Pollock ML, Mengelkoch LJ, Graves JE, Lowenthal DT, Limacher MC, Foster C, Wilmore JH. Twenty-year follow-up of aerobic power and body composition of older track athletes. J Appl Physiol 1997; 82: 1508-1516
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 32 Prefaut C, Anselme F, Caillaud C, Masse-Biron J. Exercise-induced hypoxemia in older athletes. J Appl Physiol 1994; 76: 120-126
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 33 Reaburn P, Dascombe B. Endurance performance in masters athletes. Eur Rev Aging Phys Act 2008; 5: 31-42
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 34 Reuschlein PS, Reddan WG, Burpee J, Gee JB, Rankin J. Effect of physical training on the pulmonary diffusing capacity during submaximal work. J Appl Physiol 1968; 24: 152-158
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 35 Rittweger J, di Prampero PE, Maffulli N, Narici MV. Sprint and endurance power and ageing: an analysis of master athletic world records. Proc Biol Sci 2009; 276: 683-689
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 36 Szygula Z. Erythrocytic system under the influence of physical exercise and training. Sports Med 1990; 10: 181-197
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 37 Tanaka H, Seals DR. Endurance exercise performance in Masters athletes: age-associated changes and underlying physiological mechanisms. J Physiol 2008; 586: 55-63
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 38 Viljanen AA, Halttunen PK, Kreus KE, Viljanen BC. Spirometric studies in non-smoking, healthy adults. Scand J Clin Lab Invest Suppl 1982; 159: 5-20
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 39 Viljanen AA, Viljanen BC, Halttunen PK, Kreus KE. Pulmonary diffusing capacity and volumes in healthy adults measured with the single breath technique. Scand J Clin Lab Invest Suppl 1982; 159: 21-34
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 40 Vogiatzis I, Zakynthinos S, Boushel R, Athanasopoulos D, Guenette JA, Wagner H, Roussos C, Wagner PD. The contribution of intrapulmonary shunts to the alveolar-to-arterial oxygen difference during exercise is very small. J Physiol 2008; 586: 2381-2391
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 41 West JB. Thoughts on the pulmonary blood-gas barrier. Am J Physiol 2003; 285: L501-L513
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 42 Wilks DC, Winwood K, Gilliver SF, Kwiet A, Chatfield M, Michaelis I, Sun LW, Ferretti JL, Sargeant AJ, Felsenberg D, Rittweger J. Bone mass and geometry of the tibia and the radius of master sprinters, middle and long distance runners, race-walkers and sedentary control participants: a pQCT study. Bone 2009; 45: 91-97
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 43 Zavorsky GS, Lands LC. Lung diffusion capacity for nitric oxide and carbon monoxide is impaired similarly following short-term graded exercise. Nitric oxide 2005; 12: 31-38
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 44 Zavorsky GS, Walley KR, Hunte GS, McKenzie DC, Sexsmith GP, Russell JA. Acute hypervolaemia improves arterial oxygen pressure in athletes with exercise-induced hypoxaemia. Exp Physiol 2003; 88: 555-564
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 45 Zavorsky GS, Walley KR, Hunte GS, McKenzie DC, Sexsmith GP, Russell JA. Acute hypervolemia lengthens red cell pulmonary transit time during exercise in endurance athletes. Resp Physiol Neurobiol 2002; 131: 255-268
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 46 Zavorsky GS, Wilson B, Harris JK, Kim DJ, Carli F, Mayo NE. Pulmonary diffusion and aerobic capacity: is there a relation? Does obesity ­matter?. Acta Physiol 2010; 198: 499-507
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar