Effects of detraining on breathing pattern and ventilatory efficiency in young soccer players.

BACKGROUND: This study investigated the effects of detraining on breathing pattern. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a sixweek detraining period on breathing patterns and ventilatory efficiency.

METHODS: Fourteen young soccer players were evaluated at the end of a competitive season and after a sixweek detraining period. Assessment of respiratory efficiency was based on VE/VCO2 slope changes below 70% of exercise intensity. All participants underwent twice an incremental graded exercise test up to exhaustion.

RESULTS: No differences in breathing frequency and inspiratory time/ total time ratio (Ti/Ttot) were found after detraining (p>.05). Differences in tidal volume (VT), VT/Ti quotient and VE were significant (p<.05) at between 40 to 100% of exercise intensity. The VE/VCO2 slope did not change (p>.05) during a postdetraining maximal incremental test.

CONCLUSIONS: A sixweek detraining period causes changes in inspiratory flow but does not affect the inspiratory time/total respiratory cycle time ratio. The overall ventilatory efficiency of the respiratory system remains constant and is not affected by detraining.