Relationship of cardiorespiratory control and vascular compliance in competitive young athletes

Abstract

Objective: To study the haemodynamic properties of the peripheral circulation and its relationship with cardiorespiratory control, during anaerobic muscle fatigue test, in young competitive athletes.

Method: Nine adolescent of national and international competition level were recruited (age: 15.6 ± 1.9 years; male = 7) and cross-evaluated. Morphological measurements (body mass, percentage of total body fat and height), blood pressure (systolic, diastolic, mean and pulse blood pressure), respiratory measures (spirometry and pimometry), power, and fatigue were recorded through Wingate test.

Results: Weight, height, and fat-free mass were positively correlated with the power parameters of the Wingate test (p < 0.05). The respiratory parameters of forced vital capacity, peak expiratory flow, maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP) and maximum sustained pressure (SMIP) were also significantly correlated with the power parameters. Additionally, the cardiorespiratory parameters of MIP and SMIP were positively correlated with pulse pressure at rest (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: The increase in MIP and SMIP is associated with a lower arterial compliance, which indicates that a lower vascular elasticity influences a greater diaphragmatic strength and endurance of the young athlete.