Influence of Indoor and Outdoor Sports Training to Cardio-Respiratory Parameters of Athletes: A Cross-Sectional Study at the University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Kanayo Mercy Odia *
Department of Human Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
Christiana Onyinyechi Nkemakolam
Department of Human Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: Sports training plays a vital role in enhancing athletic performance and supporting overall health. The study aims to evaluate the Influence of indoor and outdoor sports training to cardio-respiratory parameters of athletes.
Methods: This study employed a descriptive cross-sectional design to examine the cardio-respiratory parameters of 76 male and female athletes (aged 17-35) engaged in indoor and outdoor sports at the University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Using a semi-structured questionnaire, blood pressure, anthropometric measures, and lung function parameters such as force vital capacity (FVC), Forced Expiratory Volume (FEV1), and peak expiratory flow rate were assessed with a digital spirometer. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS (version 25), with results presented as mean±SD, and statistical significance determined at p<0.05 through t-tests and Pearson correlation.
Results: This study of 76 athletes (63.2% male, predominantly aged 18–23) examined the effects of indoor and outdoor sports training on cardio-respiratory parameters. While most participants exhibited normal cardiovascular characteristics, males had higher FVC and FEV1 values than females across both training settings, though both sexes maintained normal FEV1/FVC ratios. Outdoor training slightly improved respiratory outcomes compared to indoor training, with statistically significant differences in FEV1 and FEV1/FVC ratios observed among females but not males. Correlation analysis revealed positive links between indoor FVC, FEV1, and systolic blood pressure in females, suggesting sex-based variations in respiratory responses to training environments.
Conclusion: This study highlights gender-specific differences in respiratory responses to exercise, with males showing higher lung capacity and females demonstrating better peak expiratory flow rates and greater sensitivity to environmental changes.
Keywords: Environmental changes, force vital capacity, physical activity, blood pressure