Effect of regular physical exercise on resting nasal resistance

Objective: This study was conducted to determine (1) if long-term regular t raining changes resting nasal resistance in humans and (2) if the changes a re related to the structural component or mucosal component of nasal resist ance. Methods: We used a case-control study to compare a group of 16 athletes to 15 sedentary people of similar age. Nasal resistance was measured by comput erized head-out body plethysmograph posterior rhinometry. Physical activity was evaluated by the Baecke questionnaire. Results: The p values (t-test) were very significant for the Baecke sports and total scores (p < .0001) but not for the other variables: age, untreate d nasal resistances, decongested nasal resistances, and Baecke work and lei sure scores. There were no significant correlations between nasal resistanc es and indexes of physical activity in all subjects (Pearson's correlation coefficient). The subjects with extremely low and high sports and total sco res were paired and studied with the Signed test and the Wilcoxon signed ra nk test. No significant relationship was found between the nasal resistance s and the Baecke scores. Conclusions: Resting nasal resistances in a group of endurance-trained athl etes are identical to those found in a group of sedentary individuals, and this relationship stands for both the structural and mucosal components of nasal resistance. A new study of the same parameters is warranted to follow a cohort of sedentary subjects as they enrol in a physical training progra m.