Abstract des Autors

It has been abundantly shown that conventional spirograph data (VC, FVC, FEV1, FEV1/VC%, MVV) as referred to in current provisions are not adequate in order that a first level evaluation of pulmonary efficiency may be performed. These data need to be supplemented with the measurement of Maximum Expiratory Flows at 50% and 25% of Forced Vital Capacity (MEF50 and MEF25), and the Maximal Mid-Expiratory Flow (MMEF or FEF25-75). These flows indicate the degree of patency of the more peripheral airways, and make it possible to detect pathologies that are unacknowledged or latent but that can patently occur during sports activity. More in detail, the flow measurement is extremely useful when performing functional diagnosis of bronchial asthma. Indeed, the latter has now become an important chapter of Sports Medicine requiring thorough investigation as far as fitness is concerned. Given its diagnostic and functional magnitude, the spirographic examination supplemented with expiratory flows should be prescribed for all competitive sports activities. All modern computerised spirographs provide measurements of the aforesaid flows . On the other hand, they may also be detected through the use of less recent equipment by calculating - on the forced expiratory curve - the tangent for MEF50 and MEF25, and the secant for MMEF. In order that spirograph data may carry significance, they must be compared to theoretical values. In this connection, a great number of formulas are available, hence a wide variability involving over- or underestimate errors. It is therefore necessary that reference values to be applied to the sports population are proposed. Verf.-Referat