[Spiro-ergometric evaluation of a group of healthy young subjects: sedentary females, sedentary males and practicing male sports amateurs (jogging)].

In order to assess the qualitative and quantitative differences in physical performance, twenty sedentary females (Group A), twenty sedentary males (Group B) and twenty amateur sportsmen who jogged 45-60 min 2-3 times a week (Group C), have been evaluated by spiroergometric test on bicycle ergometer. At the submaximal level of 90 Watts the cardiorespiratory efficiency, as reflected by the values of double product (DP) and ventilatory equivalent (VE) was statistically different in the three Groups (A less than B less than C). At the maximal work the females, compared to sedentary males, achieved lower values (P less than 0.001) of maximal working capacity (MWC), total work (TW), systolic blood pressure (SBP), maximal O2 uptake (VO2 max), O2 pulse (O2P) and a greater (P less than 0.001) energetic cost (EC = HRmax/TW): sedentary males, compared to amateur sportsmen, achieved lower values (P less than 0.001) of MWC, TW, VO2 max, O2P and greater values (P less than 0.001) of VE, EC, HR, and DP (P less than 0.02). The lower VO2 max in females can be mainly ascribed to the lower stroke volume which in turn correlates with smaller body surface area. The greater VO2 max and O2P max of amateur sportsmen can be ascribed to larger stroke volume and muscular O2 uptake brought about by jogging. Furthermore the females, compared to sedentary males, have achieved VO2 max and O2P max that were 29% lower, a TW 43% lower, while EC was 73,4% higher. The sedentary males, compared to amateur sportsmen, have achieved lower values of VO2 max (-14,3%), O2P max (-17,5%) and TW (-31,3%) with DP and EC 8,3% and 50,7% higher, respectively. On the grounds of these data sedentary subjects, particularly females, pay a high energetic cost during physical activity. The practice of an aerobic sport such as jogging, may notably increase cardiovascular and respiratory efficiency.