Lung capacity, VO2max and pneumonia

[lechatnoir]

Does anyone have any information on how pneumonia or sever chest infection can affect lung capacity and/or VO2max in later years? 

 

Thanks in advance

[dave303e]

Sorry I don't have anything to help for latter years, but if you want insight into athletic performance and short term recovery and impact you welcome to pm me.

 

I got pneumonia at a race in April, I was under pressure to be ready for a 600km adventure race in August so it was a big mission to try not lose too much fitness and to then build it back fast.

[DieselnDust]

Does anyone have any information on how pneumonia or sever chest infection can affect lung capacity and/or VO2max in later years? 

 

Thanks in advance

Have you consulted a specialist in this field?

My limited knowledge suggests is depends on severity wrt the pneumonia

[SwissVan]

Does anyone have any information on how pneumonia or sever chest infection can affect lung capacity and/or VO2max in later years?

 

Thanks in advance

Good question, + 30 years ago I had a lung issue (collapsed lung with chest infection / pneumonia) and the Dr said it could affect me in the later years. At the time I was young enough not enquire more about it.

 

10 or 12 years ago my house Dr who coincidentally specialised in lung issues and always liked to perform lung function tests during medicals said to me that my “results” are not as good as what he would expect from someone who did a lot (in those days) of endurance training. When I told him about the issue I had as a youngster he just said: hmmmm

[R-squared]

Does anyone have any information on how pneumonia or sever chest infection can affect lung capacity and/or VO2max in later years? 

Usual best answer is ‘it depends’ - mostly on severity and cause of pneumonia. TB and other destructive pneumonias, including Staphylococcal which is common after measles or influenza, will often leave scars and airway damage (bronchiectasis). More usual causes such as viral or Pneumococcus will often resolve leaving little or no long term functional damage. You need quite a lot of damage to affect VO2max as normal individuals often have 20-30% of ventilatory capacity left at maximum exercise.

 

The significance of VO2max as a predictor of exercise performance is questionable and a debate of its own.