Cardiorespiratory Parameters In Kenyan Joggers

Abstract

The objectives of this investigation were to evaluate cardiovascular, pulmonary and anthropometric parameters in 20 to 30 years old Kenyan joggers. A jogger being defined as an individual who "jogs" a a minimum of three times a week for at least twenty minutes. The number of subjects evaluated were 89 joggers (70 males and 19 females) and 97 non joggers (32 males and 65 females). To achieve these objectives a number of tests were carried out and these included: percentage body fat, tidal volume, minute ventilation, forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in the first second, forced mid-expiratory flow, peak flow rate, resting metabolic rate, heart rate, blood pressure and maximal oxygen consumption. The study revealed that regular jogging significantly improved an individual's health profile. For instance, male joggers had 14% body fat as compared ~o 19~ in male non joggers. While the female joggers exhibited 22% body fat ind the female non joggers had 24% body fat. 80th of these values were significantly different at p = 0.01. Tidal volume was significantly different (p = 0.01) in male joggers when compared to male non joggers, whereas the females showed no significant difference. Minute ventilation was not affected by jogging in either sex. Of all the dynamic pulmonary function tests done,

only two showed a significant difference (p = 0.01). The first, forced vital capacity, showed a significant difference in both sexes between joggers and non joggers. The second one, peak flow rate showed significant difference (p = 0.01) between female joggers and non joggers. Resting metabolic rate was significantly higher (p = 0.01) in joggers compared to non joggers in both sexes. After the maximal stress test, the heart rate recovery was faster among the joggers as compared to non joggers. The absolute and relative maximum oxygen consumption values were significantly higher among joggers as compared to non joggers in both sexes. The tests carried out indicated that joggers had superior cardiovascular, pulmonary and anthropometric profiles when compared to non joggers. The major findings, in light of the methodology applied are discussed in relation to the positive health benefits accrued from participation in regular jogging.