Respiratory endurance, pulmunary drugs and sport performance: an alalysis in a sample of amateur soccer Athletes

Introduction: Different drugs and several respiratory drugs have been used to enhance sporting performances. Some of them are included in the list of prohibited substances if not they are administered by inhalation. Moreover many respiratory drugs are permitted by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) but, in certain cases, they need to be accompanied by a written notification. Aim: We aimed to investigate the relationships between respiratory structuring and proper functioning, and the development of respiratory resistance without use of respiratory drugs in a group of twenty senior male soccer amateur football league players. At the athletes (age 41.2 ± 3.1 years), with different education levels to the sports performance factors (technical, tactical, physical and psychological) and to the training contents, were administered respiratory tests (spirometry, motor tests, cooper tests). Methods: They are distributed into two groups (A control and B with lowest indexes), and verified attendance at scheduled, weekly and supplemental training sessions for six months. The data processed allowed to calculate the VO2max in consideration of the characteristics of mixed energy expenditure of the football discipline. Results: 65% of the team has shown an inadequate performance, related to the ability to resist, as many athletes have not completed the 12-minute course. At the group B athletes, supplemental training program was proposed; three athletes (41 years) who returned from injury and prolonged inactivity showed non-positive returns, comparable to others of athletes with an average age of more than 45 years. Improvements were detected in both groups. Group A recorded a performance increase of about 18-20% while group B of over about 25% with indexes, in some cases, close to about 30%.