Journal of AdvancedMedical and Dental Sciences Research

`Introduction: Swimming as a form of exercise is unique in many respects. It takes place in water that presents completely different gravitational and resistive forces compared to air. It is performed in a lying position, which alters gravitational effects on circulation. The breathing (respiratory) muscles which are composed of the diaphragm, external and internal intercostals, parasternal, sternomastoid, scalene, external and internal oblique and abdominal muscles are the vital organ in mammals by which oxygen is delivered to the red blood cells and concomitantly carbon dioxide is removed and expelled into the environment and play major role in during the excercise. Materials and Method: In this present study included 50 male competitive swimmers, aged between 18-25 years. A similar number of age, height and weight matched medical students not directly engaged in any kind of sports activity served as controls. Results: Age: The mean age in swimmers was 22.56 + 3.34 years and in controls was 22.49 + 2.93 years. Height: 166.78 + 6.56 cm and in controls was 168.96 + 4.48 cm. Weight: 62.34 + 7.48 kg and in controls was 62.63 + 7.21 Kg. Body surface area: 1.78 + 0.13 and in controls was 1.74 + 0.12. Body mass index: 22.46 + 2.12 and in controls was 22.34 + 2.42. The mean vital capacity at rest in swimmers was 3.82 + 0.28 liters and in controls was 3.74 + 0.40 liters Conclusion: This study has demonstrated that exercise in the form of swimming produces a significant improvement in the pulmonary function. Swimming engages practically all muscle groups. The improvement in pulmonary function could be due to increased strength of respiratory muscles. Hence O2 utilization for the muscle is higher in swimmers. Keywords: exercise swimming pulmonary function.