Abstract
Background: Spirometry is one of the most common measures of lung function. A noteworthy amount of research has not been carried out in the context of the athletic population, particularly in respect of the effect of duration of exercise on the extent of spirometry.

Aim and Objective: The aim of this study was to study the spirometric values in the athletic population and compare the differences in respect to the duration of exercise and to find the magnitude of change in the spirometric measurements such as forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), functional vital capacity (FVC), and maximal voluntary ventilation (MVV).

Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted among the athletic population after taking Institutional Ethics Committee approval. A total of 30 healthy subjects, who were regularly going to the gym for more than 6 months were enrolled in the study after taking informed written consent.

Results: The duration of exercise had a positive impact on FEV1 and MVV. The duration of exercise had a significant impact on FVC. There was an increase in the value of FEV1 about 7%, FVC about 15%, and MVV about 9% in subjects doing exercise for more than 2 years as compared to subjects doing exercise <2 years.

Conclusion: The values of FEV1, FVC, and MVV were higher in athletes who were exercising for more than 2 years regularly compared to those who were exercising for <2 years. Interpretation spirometry of athletic patients should be corrected by increasing reference values.

Key words: Spirometry; Exercise; Forced expiratory volume in 1 second; Functional vital capacity; Maximal voluntary ventilation