The effect of physical strain on breeders patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

Abstract

Aim: The purpose of this study was to investigate the cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) in breeders patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS).

Method: Thirty-two male participants (Age: 42.2 ± 7.3yrs, BMI: 29.5 ± 2.2 kg/m²) underwent full overnight polysomnography (PSG) and were divided into two groups (OSAS group: n = 20 vs. Control group: n = 12). 72-hours after the PSG study, they were subjected to CPET. The Independent t-test was used to measure the differences between the groups. Pearson's correlation coefficient was used among the parameters of CPET and PSG study.

Results: The results showed difference between the groups (OSAS vs. Control) during CPET in end-tidal, CO₂ pressure in the peak of the exercise (38.7 ± 3.0 vs. 35.4 ± 5.5 mmHg, p = 0.031) and mean arterial pressure (122.7 ± 10.6 vs. 113.7 ± 11.8 mmHg, p = 0.035). Correlation results showed differences between the physical strain and the polysomnography study in physical strain parameters "walking duration per day with the herd" and oxygen desaturation index during sleep (r = 0.370, p = 0.037) and minimum oxygen saturation during sleep (r=-.374, p = 0.035), in the parameter "milking duration" and apnea (r = 0.392, p = 0.048), AHI (r = 0.374, p = 0.035) and oxygen desaturation index during sleep (r = 0.434, p = 0.013). The physical strain parameter "working hours per day" wasn't related to any parameter of the polysomnography study.

Conclusion: The daily physical activity may have a protective role during the course of the disease in patients with OSAS.

Keywords: Breeders; Exercise testing; Low altitude; Obstructive sleep apnea.