Resistance Training Alone Improves Lung Inflammation and Respiratory Muscle Strenght but not Lung Function and Mechanics in Mid-Age Women

Physical activity classically improves lung function and inflammation. However, differences among physical activity modalities exist and are poorly explored. Thus, the present study investigates whether mid-age physically active (only resistance training) women (n=10; 41,11±9,24 years old) influences lung function, mechanics and inflammation, compared with sedentary women (n=11; 41,78±8,64 years old). The physically active women were submitted to the same modality of strength (resistance) training for at least 12 months, while the sedentary should be sedentary for at least 12 months. The spirometry analysis of FVC (p=0.08), FEV1 (p=0.09) did not present significant differences. In the same way, lung mechanics, evaluated by impulse oscillometry revealed no differences for total resistance of respiratory system (R5Hz, p=0.20), resistance of proximal airways (R20Hz, p=0.26). On the other hand, the levels of exhaled nitric oxide (exNO) was significantly higher in active women compared with sedentary ones (11.15±5.3 vs 27.18.5±8.94 ppb). Of note, although the values of exNO for the active women were higher compared with the sedentary, is important reinforce that the values for both groups are into the normal range for exNO, in this case, only indicating that, perhaps, the bronchodilator effects of nitric oxide is improved in the physically trained women. In addition, the maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP, p=0.0148) and expiratory pressure (MEP, p<0.0001) were significantly improved in the physically trained women. Therefore, we conclude that resistance training improves bronchodilation and respiratory muscle strength in mid-age women.