EVALUATION OF THE PREVALENCE OF DYSFUNCTIONAL BREATHING AND ITS ASSOCIATION WITH PERFORMANCE IN STREET RUNNERS

Abstract

Background: Running is one of the most popular sports in the world and the main reason for its insertion is the search for better health. However, in high-performance athletes, high prevalences of respiratory disorders have been observed, with a prominence of dysfunctional breathing (DB). It is still poorly understood whether the presence of DB may be associated with a worse performance of athletes. Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the prevalence of DB in runners and verify its association with performance. Methodology: 130 high-performance athletes (from the percentile 25 of average speed of Brazilian runners) of amateur or professional level in long-distance running events (from 10 to 42.195 kilometers) will be evaluated. Athletes will be screened on the delivery of kits for the best-known competitions held in the state of São Paulo. An assessment will be made for symptoms of hyperventilation (Nijmegen) and changes in respiratory biomechanics (Hi-Lo Breathing Assessment, Hi-Lo). From these assessments, runners will be divided into two groups and classified as having or not having dysfunctional breathing (DB+ and DB-, respectively). The rankings from Nijmegen and Hi-Lo will be carried out based on the criteria of each instrument. The performance of the athletes will be obtained from the official times of each race. The sample calculation was based on a 10% prevalence of DB. Data normality will be assessed using the Shapiro-Wilk test and comparison between groups will be performed using Student's t test or Mann-Whitney test.