Pulmonary Diffusing Capacity and Spirometry Across Exercise Modalities: A Cross-Sectional Comparison of Young Male Groups

Abstract

Background: Spirometry assesses ventilation but does not measure alveolar–capillary gas transfer. Comparative evidence across continuous aerobic and intermittent aerobic–anaerobic exercise remains limited. We compared spirometry, DLCO, alveolar volume (VA), and transfer coefficient (KCO) among young male runners, tennis players, and controls.
Methods: This cross-sectional study included 75 men in running, tennis, and control groups. Spirometry and single-breath DLCO testing followed ATS/ERS standards. Groups were compared using one-way ANOVA or Kruskal–Wallis tests. Percent-predicted DLCO and VA were evaluated using covariate-adjusted ANCOVA, with Quade nonparametric ANCOVA as a sensitivity analysis.
Results: FEV1% was higher in runners and tennis players than controls (p=0.014 and 0.004). Runners had higher DLCO and DLCO% than controls (both p<0.001) and higher VA than controls and tennis players (p=0.008 and 0.030); KCO was similar. Adjusted analyses confirmed higher DLCO% (B=0.164; 95% CI, 0.074–0.254; p<0.001) and VA% (p=0.007) in runners versus controls. Sensitivity analysis reinforced the DLCO% findings but did not show the same consistency for VA%.
Conclusion: Running and tennis were associated with pulmonary function profiles distinct from controls. Comparable DLCO and KCO between exercise groups did not indicate superiority of either modality.