Kinesiologia Slovenica, 28, 2, 79-91 (2022), ISSN 1318-2269   Original article    79 
ABSTRACT 
The results of numerous medical studies and kinesiology 
research show the existence of differences in the 
pulmonary function with reference to age, body height and 
size and the relation of certain parameters of body 
composition. The aim of this research is to determine 
eventual differences in the health and pulmonary function 
with soldiers of different age. The sample of examinees 
consisted of 240 members of Montenegro Armed Forces, 
having between 18 to 57 years of age, divided into 8 
subsamples of 30 examinees each (following the age 
category). The sample of measures were made of the 
following indicators of pulmonary function: 1) Forced 
Vital Capacity, 2) Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second, 
3) the proportion of Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second 
and the Forced Vital Capacity and 4) Peak Expiratory 
Flow. The central and dispersion parameters of variables 
were calculated for all variables. For examining the 
potential differences between the subsamples of 
examinees, and for determining the actual source of 
variability between the groups, multivariate and univariate 
analysis of the variance were applied, as well as the post 
hoc test with Tukey's model. Statistically significant 
differences were determined in pulmonary function 
compared to the age of soldiers. The pulmonary function 
of soldiers from 18 until 21 years of age differ from the 
soldiers of the next three age categories. Also, were 
determined that the next three variables mostly contribute 
to that difference: Forced Vital Capacity, Forced 
Expiratory Volume in 1 second and the Peak Expiratory 
Flow. In the Forced Vital Capacity were determined 
relatively constant values were detected from 32 until 52 
years of age of the soldiers. The obtained results confirm 
the effect of numerous specific factors in the system of 
functioning of the military organization. 
Keywords: Pulmonary function; Differences; Soldiers; 
Age 
1University of Montenegro, Faculty for Sport and 
Physical Education, Niksic, Montenegro 
2Montenegrin Sports Academy, Podgorica, Montenegro 
 
 
IZVLEČEK 
Rezultati številnih medicinskih študij in kinezioloških 
raziskav kažejo, da obstajajo razlike v pljučni funkciji 
glede na starost, telesno višino in povezanostjo nekaterih 
parametrov telesne sestave. Namen te raziskave je 
ugotoviti morebitne razlike v zdravju in pljučni funkciji pri 
vojakih različnih starosti. Vzorec preiskovancev je 
sestavljalo 240 pripadnikov oboroženih sil Črne gore, 
starih od 18 do 57 let, razdeljenih v 8 skupin po 30 
preiskovancev (po starostnih kategorijah). Vzorec meritev 
je zajemal naslednje kazalnike pljučne funkcije: 1) 
forsirana vitalna kapaciteta, 2) forsirani ekspiratorni 
volumen v 1 sekundi, 3) razmerje med forsiranim 
ekspiratornim volumnom v 1 sekundi in forsirano vitalno 
kapaciteto, 4) maksimalni ekspiratorni pretok. Za vse 
spremenljivke so bili izračunani osrednji parametri in 
parametri razpršenosti spremenljivk. Za preučevanje 
morebitnih razlik med skupinami preiskovancev in za 
ugotavljanje dejanskega vira variabilnosti med skupinami 
sta bila uporabljena multivariatna in univariatna analiza 
variance ter post hoc test s Tukeyjevim modelom. 
Ugotovljene so bile statistično pomembne razlike v pljučni 
funkciji v primerjavi s starostjo vojakov. Pljučna funkcija 
vojakov, starih od 18 do 21 let, se razlikuje od vojakov 
naslednjih treh starostnih kategorij. Prav tako je bilo 
ugotovljeno, da k tej razliki največ prispevajo naslednje tri 
spremenljivke: forsirana vitalna kapaciteta, forsirani 
ekspiratorni volumen v eni sekundi in maksimalni 
ekspiratorni pretok. Pri forsirani vitalni kapaciteti so bile 
ugotovljene relativno konstantne vrednosti med 32 in 52 
letom. Dobljeni rezultati potrjujejo vpliv številnih 
specifičnih dejavnikov v sistemu delovanja vojaške 
organizacije.  
Ključne besede: pljučna funkcija, razlike, vojaki, starost 
3Montenegrosport, Podgorica, Montenegro 
 
Corresponding author*: Boris Banjevic,  
University of Montenegro, Faculty for Sport and Physical 
Education, Narodne omladine bb, 81400 Niksic, 
Montenegro 
E-mail: boris.banjevic@gmail.com
Boris Banjevic 1,* 
Bojan Masanovic 1,2,3 
PULMONARY FUNCTION OF ARMED FORCES 
MEMBERS IN MONTENEGRO AMONG 
DIFFERENT AGE GROUPS 
PLJUČNA FUNKCIJA PRIPADNIKOV 
OBOROŽENIH SIL ČRNE GORE V RAZLIČNIH 
STAROSTNIH SKUPINAH 
Kinesiologia Slovenica, 28, 2, 79-91 (2022), ISSN 1318-2269   Pulmonary Function of Soldiers of Different Age Groups  80 
INTRODUCTION 
Lung volumes and capacities as a segment of functional capabilities of the body have great 
effect on a series of health-related processes (successively connected) such as: lung ventilation, 
gas diffusion and its transfer, gas exchange between blood and tissues and oxygen consumption 
in cells with the release of CO₂ (Davidovic et al., 1975). Functional diagnostics makes possible 
the insight in certain physiological and biochemical characteristics of human body. For the 
assessment of structurally functional characteristics of the respiratory composition, the 
spirometry tests are applied (Jukic, et al., 2008). Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTs) are usually 
used for the assessment of respiratory status and they have become a part of routine health 
examination with the respiratory, work and sports medicine (Kaur, Subhedar, Dave, Mishra and 
Sharma, 2015).  
In his historical research, John Hutchinson (spirometer inventor) has determined that the age 
and height are the most important determinants of the lung function and since then many studies 
have confirmed that the lung function increases with the height and reduces with age (American 
Thoracis Society, 1991). Ageing results with the reduction of lung function and increase of 
body fat (Wiswell et al., 2001). Some of the studies have analysed the size or regional 
distribution of FM (body fat mass) and FFM (fat-free mass) compared to the lung function. 
With reference to the size, for FM it was noticed that it is negatively connected with the lung 
function, especially with very obese persons, while it is positively connected with FFM (De 
Lorenzo, Maiolo, Mohamed, Andreoli, Petrone and Rossi, 2001). With reference to distribution 
for the central or upper part of the body, it was noticed that FM is negatively connected with 
the lung function with elderly people. In addition, the results have shown that FVC (Forced 
Vital Capacity) and FEV1 (Forced Expiratory Volume measured during the first second) have 
significantly lower values with persons with the ratio of waist and hips (W/H) higher or equal 
to 0.95 (i.e. FM distribution of the upper body), compared to persons with W/H who have less 
than 0.95 (FM distribution of the lower body) (Collins, Hoberty, Walker, Fletcher and Peiris, 
1995). Harik-Khan, Wise and Fleg (2001), have analysed the effect of W/H on FEV 1 and FVC 
in the research of a bigger population (around 1500 persons). After taking in consideration BMI 
and other variables, a strong reversible connection was confirmed between W/H and FEV1 with 
men, but not with women. Apart from this, it was confirmed that the higher W/H is connected 
with bigger reductions in FVC among men compared to women. Therefore, direct effects of 
distribution of body fat on the lung function look more pronounced among men. FM stored in 
the abdominal cavity most probably directly prevents diaphragm descent, increasing the weight 
Kinesiologia Slovenica, 28, 2, 79-91 (2022), ISSN 1318-2269   Pulmonary Function of Soldiers of Different Age Groups  81 
to the walls of the thorax and leading to the restrictive respiratory disorder, as it is stated in this 
study. Such deficits represent a significant limiting factor for the members of the military 
service in the sense of efficiency for performing professional specialties, which depend on a 
series of external factors (Wiswell et al., 2001). Similar changes are present even in the other 
segments of body composition and they are the result, not only of the effect of specificity of a 
demanding military profession, but primarily of physiological and morphological changes 
connected to biological ageing (Sharp, Knapik and Wallker, 2008).  
Based on the stated studies, it was determined that significant differences appear in lung 
volumes and capacities with people of different age. Bearing in mind the fact that the military 
organization represents a separate system with a wide variety of actions of various specific 
factors, the aim of this research was set. It includes the determination of health status and 
definition of eventual differences in the pulmonary function of the members of Armed Forced 
of Montenegro of different age groups. By achieving the set goal, important information from 
the aspect of indirect assessment of the functional capacities and health condition of the soldier's 
organism will be obtained. This will undoubtedly contribute to the adequate planning of 
transformation processes in soldiers, and their preparation for adequate task performance 
without the danger of endangering their health in that process.  
 
METHODS 
This Cross-sectional study consists of measurement of appropriate indicators for lung function 
of professional members of Armed Forces in Montenegro. A sample of 240 examinees, aged 
between 18-57, was divided into 8 age categories (table 1). An equal number of male 
respondents were taken from each unit of the Army of Montenegro by random sampling. 
Table 1. Sample of examinees with reference to age.  
Sample/ 
Age category 
I II III IV V VI VII VIII 
Years of age 18-21 22-26 27-31 32-36 37-41 42-46 47-51 52-57 
No of examinees 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 
Years average 20.0 23.9 29.3 34.6 39.1 44.2 47.8 56.3 
 
Kinesiologia Slovenica, 28, 2, 79-91 (2022), ISSN 1318-2269   Pulmonary Function of Soldiers of Different Age Groups  82 
The assessment of lung function was made based on the analysis of spirometry indicators: 
Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), Forced Expiratory Volume measured during the first second 
(FEV1), the ratio of Forced Expiratory Volume measured during the first second and Forced 
Vital Capacity (FEV1/FVC) and Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF). Spirometry testing was made in 
accordance with the Protocol for functional diagnostics of soldiers (Jukic et al., 2008). For 
measuring parameters of the lung function the spirometer of the brand (Spirometrics. SMI 3) 
was used with the belonging program support QUARK b². 
The obtained results have been first of all arranged and then statistically processed on a personal 
computer under the software statistical package SPSS 20.0 (Chicago, IL, USA). The central 
and dispersion variable parameters have been calculated, and in order to analyse potential 
differences in the lung function between the subsamples of examinees, a Multivariate Analysis 
of Variance (MANOVA) was realized, while as the second step, to determine the differences 
between groups on individual variables, an Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was applied. To 
determine the real source of variability between groups, a further analysis realized the procedure 
which tested individual differences between each of the calculated arithmetic means, i.e. a 
classic variance analysis (F-test) was supplemented by post hoc test with Tukey's model for 
determining differences (Tukey’s Honestly Significant Difference test-HSD). The realized 
level of significance for previously stated statistical procedures is p≤0.05. 
 
RESULTS 
In table 2 have been shown the basic statistical descriptive parameters of the lung function of 
professional soldiers of Montenegro Army for different age groups. It can be noted that Forced 
Expiratory Volume, Forced Expiratory Volume measured during the first second and the ratio 
of Forced Expiratory Volume during the 1st second and the Forced Vital Capacity, have the 
highest values in age group II and the lowest values in age group VIII. On the other hand, the 
Peak Expiratory Flow parameter shows the highest values in group III and the lowest values in 
age group I. 
  
Kinesiologia Slovenica, 28, 2, 79-91 (2022), ISSN 1318-2269   Pulmonary Function of Soldiers of Different Age Groups  83 
Table 2. Central and dispersion variable parameters of the lung function of soldiers of different 
age. 
Age Variable Min Max Mean SD 
I age group (18-21) 
FVC 3.94 7.10 5.10 .688 
FEV1 1.74 6.10 4.13 .905 
FEF 36.0 98.6 81.2 15.45 
PEF 1.8 12.5 6.6 2.78 
II age group (22-26) 
FVC 4.37 6.74 5.49 .634 
FEV1 3.73 6.10 4.66 .643 
FEF 67.2 99.9 85.0 8.63 
PEF 4.1 12.5 8.6 2.79 
III age group (27-31) 
FVC 4.15 6.96 5.44 .710 
FEV1 2.38 5.68 4.45 .760 
FEF 46.6 92.4 81.82 9.39 
PEF 2.3 24.9 9.26 4.17 
IV age group (32-36) 
FVC 3.98 6.39 5.16 .655 
FEV1 3.34 5.29 4.23 .510 
FEF 67.9 97.9 82.62 6.82 
PEF 3.6 12.5 9.23 2.75 
V age group (37-41) 
FVC 3.34 6.57 4.93 .821 
FEV1 2.87 5.71 4.13 .616 
FEF 61.7 97.9 84.46 8.06 
PEF 5.0 12.5 8.93 2.58 
VI age group (42-46) 
FVC 3.62 6.53 5.13 .670 
FEV1 2.41 5.07 4.11 .675 
FEF 43.0 92.6 80.50 10.25 
PEF 3.1 12.5 8.64 3.29 
VII age group (47-51) 
FVC 2.91 6.49 4.85 .900 
FEV1 2.09 5.04 3.86 .691 
FEF 50.7 99.9 80.37 10.44 
PEF 2.8 12.5 8.16 2.96 
VIII age group (52-57) 
FVC 3.23 5.68 4.63 .604 
FEV1 1.24 4.65 3.60 .791 
FEF 24.9 99.9 77.97 15.39 
PEF 1.7 12.5 7.09 3.25 
Note: Min – minimum result; Max – maximum result; Mean – arithmetic mean; SD – standard deviation; FVC – Forced Vital 
Capacity; FEV1 – Forced Expiratory Volume measured during the first second; FEF – the ratio of Forced Expiratory Volume 
during 1st second and the Forced Vital Capacity; PEF – Peak Expiratory Flow. 
By testing the significance of lung function variable differences between subsamples of 
examinees with reference to age group, a statistically significant difference was established, 
since the value of Wilks Lambda amounted .722, which during F approximation 2.79 gives 
difference significance at the level P<0.05 (table 3). 
  
Kinesiologia Slovenica, 28, 2, 79-91 (2022), ISSN 1318-2269   Pulmonary Function of Soldiers of Different Age Groups  84 
Table 3. MANOVA parameters of lung functions of soldiers with reference to the age group. 
Wilks'Lambda test F value P significance level 
.722 2.79+ .000* 
Note: * – existence of significant differences 
With the insight in table 4, it was concluded that such difference results from the following 
variables: Forced Vital Capacity, Forced Expiratory Volume measured during the first second 
and Peak Expiratory Flow. 
Table 4. ANOVA parameters of soldiers’ lung function with reference to age group. 
Variable F value P significance level 
FVC 4.84 .000* 
FEV1 6.31 .000* 
FEF 1.32 .240 
PEF 2.87 .007* 
Note: * – existence of significant differences 
Based on the results of Tukey’s test for the variable Forced Vital Capacity shown in table 5, it 
was established which groups significantly deviate in the analysed variable compared to the 
others. Those are: soldiers of II age group (FVC=5.49) compared to soldiers: of VII age group 
(FVC=4.85) and of VIII age group (FVC=4.63); Soldiers of III age group (FVC=5.44) 
compared to soldiers: of VII age group (FVC=4.85) and of VIII age group (FVC=4.63).  
Table 5. Tukey’s test for the variable Forced Vital Capacity (FVC). 
p II III IV V VI VII VIII 
I .416 .604 1.00 .983 1.00 .878 .190 
II  1.00 .649 .054 .532 .015* .000* 
III   .818 .112 .719 .036* .001* 
IV    .907 1.00 .690 .084 
V     .956 1.00 .753 
VI      .794 .129 
VII       .939 
Note: I-VIII – age groups; p – significance level; * – existence of significant differences. 
Based on the result of Tukey’s test for the variable Forced Expiratory Volume measured during 
the first second (FEV1) shown in table 6, it was established which groups significantly deviate 
Kinesiologia Slovenica, 28, 2, 79-91 (2022), ISSN 1318-2269   Pulmonary Function of Soldiers of Different Age Groups  85 
in the studied variable compared to the others. Those are: Soldiers of II age group (FEV1=4.66) 
compared to the soldiers: of VII age group (FEV1=3.86) and of VIII age group (FEV1=3.60); 
Soldiers of III age group (FEV1=4.45) compared to the soldiers: of VII age group (FEV1=3.86) 
and of VIII age group (FEV1=3.60); Soldiers of IV age group (FEV1=4.23) compared to 
soldiers: of VIII age group (FEV1=3.60). 
Table 6. Tukey’s test for the variable Forced Expiratory Volume measured during the first 
second (FEV1). 
p II III IV V VI VII VIII 
I .084 .675 .999 1.00 1.00 .825 .074 
II  .945 .287 .081 .064 .001* .000* 
III   .939 .664 .607 .035* .000* 
IV    .999 .998 .476 .014* 
V     1.00 .833 .077 
VI      .873 .096 
VII       .831 
Note: I-VIII – age groups; p – significance level; * – existence of significant differences. 
Based on the results of Tukey’s test for the variable Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF) shown in the 
table 7, it was established which groups significantly deviate in the studied variable compared 
to the others. Those are: Soldiers of I age group (PEF=6.60) compared to soldiers: of III age 
group (PEF=9.26) and of IV age group (PEF=9.23).  
Table 7. Tukey’s test for the variable Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF). 
p II III IV V VI VII VIII 
I .222 .033* .038* .103 .238 .607 1.00 
II  .995 .997 1.00 1.00 .998 .513 
III   1.00 1.00 .994 .867 .127 
IV    1.00 .996 .886 .141 
V     1.00 .979 .302 
VI      .999 .536 
VII       .888 
Note: I-VIII – age groups; p – significance level; * – existence of significant differences. 
 
 
Kinesiologia Slovenica, 28, 2, 79-91 (2022), ISSN 1318-2269   Pulmonary Function of Soldiers of Different Age Groups  86 
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION 
The analysis of respiratory function in this study is limited to lung ventilation (entering and 
exiting of air from the lungs), which represents the first out of four segments in the process of 
breathing physiology (Guyton, 1985). However, it was determined that the lung volumes and 
capacities which the lung ventilation depends on, are very important for the function of the 
complete respiratory system (Banjevic, 2021). The elasticity of the lung tissue and walls of the 
thorax is being reduced with age (Haywood and Getchell, 2017). In addition, the quantity of 
mass component which is being increased with age in the part of abdomen, by acting on 
diaphragm brings to the reduction of lung capacity (Harik-Khan, Wise and Fleg, 2001).  
The results obtained in this study show the statistically significant differences in the Forced 
Vital Capacity (FVC) between the members of Montenegro Army of II and III age group on 
one, i.e. of VII and VIII age group on the other side. These differences show that the value of 
the said parameter is dropping from the third to the fifth and sixth life decades of soldiers for 
0.72 l. It is proved that the average reduction of the Forced Vital Capacity with aging is 4-5% 
per life decade with people of different occupations from general population (Norris, Shock, 
Landowne and Falzone, 1956; Shepard, 1978). However, although there are similarities in the 
scope of changes over the years, their dynamics differ significantly among professional 
members of the VCG (compared to the general population). Namely, by using the obtained 
average values of the Forced Vital Capacity per age groups, we obtained the data shown in table 
8. 
Table 8. Value reduction (FVC) with the members of Montenegro Army. 
Scope of age of members of Montenegro 
Army 
Life decade Dropping (FVC %) for 1 life decade 
22 to 32 III 
7.0% 
32 to 42 IV 
32 to 42 IV 
0.05% 
42 to 52 V 
42 to 52 V 
7.2% 
52 + VI 
 
Therefore, minimum fall of the Forced Vital Capacity is registered between IV and V life 
decade, which really means that it has relatively constant values from 32nd until 52nd year of 
Kinesiologia Slovenica, 28, 2, 79-91 (2022), ISSN 1318-2269   Pulmonary Function of Soldiers of Different Age Groups  87 
age of the soldiers. Bearing in mind the established positive correlations between the Forced 
Vital Capacity (FVC) and the aerobic capacity (Hollmann, 1972), as well as the fact that the 
basis of the physical potentials of soldiers is made of aerobic capacity and muscle strength 
(Sharp, Knapik and Wallker, 2008) in this way obtained results are of extreme importance when 
making and practically implementing effective training processes for soldiers of different age. 
In addition, special attention should be given to soldiers in the sixth life decade since in that 
period happens the decrease of the maximum respiratory minute volume, maximal oxygen 
uptake and maximal oxygen debt (Guyton, 1985). This kind of decrease of lung vital capacity 
and parameters of aerobic capability cannot be compensated by training (Johnson, Saupe and 
Dempsey, 1992), but can be significantly delayed by applying the adequate and moderate 
physical activity (Blair, 1990). In that way the maintaining of professional work capability 
would be secured with older soldiers, but also the preservation of their health status. Namely, 
the results of epidemiological research have given evidence that there is direct connection 
between the levels of aerobic capability and the frequency of morbidity and mortality, first of 
all from cardiovascular and some malignant diseases (Blair, Horton, Leon, Lee, Drinkwater and 
Dishman, 1996). The results of these, as well as numerous other studies were the reason for 
which the World Health Organization (Federation Internationale de Medicine Sportive and 
World Health Organization, 1995) has marked the reduced level of aerobic capability as the 
independent reversible factor of health risk, the share of which in unnecessary getting sick and 
premature death can be compared with other risk factors such as hypercholesterolemia, 
hypertension and smoking.     
The differences have been established with reference to the age and when we are talking about 
the respiratory indicator the Forced Expiratory Volume measured during the first second 
(FEV1). The same have appeared as in case of Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), with additional 
ratio between IV and VIII age group. Here, it was also confirmed that during the aging process 
which causes certain changes on respiratory organs (the loss of elasticity of lung tissue), there 
happens the linear uniform dropping of values of air quantity expired during the first second all 
until 47th year of age. Then a more drastic decrease of this value can be noticed, but its relation 
towards the vital capacity (Tiffeneau Index) shows that there are no obstructive ventilation 
disturbances neither with older soldiers. This type of data is important from the aspect of 
applying certain content of physical training, however, we should bear in mind that the 
respiratory system is not the only factor of limiting the capacity for exercising with older 
persons (Haywood & Getchell, 2017). Here, first of all we think about cardiovascular changes 
Kinesiologia Slovenica, 28, 2, 79-91 (2022), ISSN 1318-2269   Pulmonary Function of Soldiers of Different Age Groups  88 
and the process of losing the muscular mass, which leads to the condition that the maximum 
capability for exercising and the maximum oxygen consumption decrease with the age, and the 
recovery time after intensive activity is being extended (Spirduzo, 1975). In accordance with 
the data Kohl, Gibbons, Gordon and Blair (1990), with clinically healthy persons, without 
subjective symptoms, upon maximum efforts during the ergometric testing, the signs of 
myocardial ischemia are noticed with 4% of persons of the age 40-45, and even in 20% with 
the ones of the age between 50 and 55. This is why Humphries, Dietrick, Palan and Smith 
(1989), propose before performing the running tests, that the army members should complete a 
specifically made questionnaire, which in their opinion, would make possible the detection of 
health risk for maximal physical efforts.  
With the variable Peak Exporatory Flow (PEF), which relates to the quality of respiratory 
passageways flow, a deviation is confirmed of the soldiers of III and IV age group compared to 
soldiers and age groups. Namely, they have the higher value of this parameters for 2.66 i.e. 2.63 
than the soldiers of up to 21 years of age. If we look at the average values and other respiratory 
indicators, with the soldiers of I age group lower values are noticed compared to the soldiers of 
II, III and IV age group. These kind of differences are possible to be explained with the current 
morphofunctional processes with young soldiers and the fact that they are “transferred” to the 
military organization from the civil one, where in a majority of cases they were not subject to 
the application of everyday  professional and methodical physical training. Namely, the 
parameters of lung function are subject to changes during the growth and development, where 
they reach the highest values in the period of younger mature age (22-28 years of age). Until 
such period, depending on the process of individual development of the body, and especially 
depending on the systematic body exercise, its size is being changed with each individual 
(Stojanovic, 1987). Therefore, the results of this study have just shown that the time from 18 
until 21 years of age of a soldier represent a sensitive period to increase the parameters of lung 
function, and by that also the aerobic capability of their body. By not diminishing the 
importance of other elements of physical fitness, the aerobic capability of the army members is 
especially important for two basic reasons: it is accepted as the international standard of general 
physical fitness (International Committee for the standardization of physical fitness test, 1974), 
and recently the level of aerobic fitness is more and more seen as a health category (Blair, 
Horton, Leon, Lee, Drinkwater and Dishman, 1996). Bearing in mind the above mentioned, a 
clear recommendation is given to the military organization that in the period of initial military 
training the emphasis is on developing soldiers’ fitness potential, first of all of their aerobic 
Kinesiologia Slovenica, 28, 2, 79-91 (2022), ISSN 1318-2269   Pulmonary Function of Soldiers of Different Age Groups  89 
capacities. In this way a good basis shall be ensured for a later upgrade of other elements of 
physical form (health prevention ass wel). 
In accordance with the obtained results, it is possible to conclude the following: Relatively 
constant values have been established of Forced Vital Capacity with soldiers from 32nd until 
52nd year of age, which indicates a different dynamics of change of lung function parameters 
compared with the general population. In addition, based on the difference in the lung function 
of soldiers from 18th until 21st year of age compared to soldiers of the next three age groups, 
this period of their life can be marked as the sensitive period for the development of the lung 
function in the conditions of specific military training. With this, it is undoubtedly confirmed 
the effect of numerous specific factors in the training system and the realization of specific 
purpose tasks in the army.      
The results of this research represent a contribution in the direction of clarifying the health 
condition of lung function of the members of Montenegrin Army. It would be significant to 
realize a more extensive study where the realtion of morphological characteristics and lung 
function parameters of soldiers with reference to age, army branch and military specialty would 
be studied. This study is especially important due to the type of treated sample, which can be 
characterized as a selected population, so their data cannot be compared with the general 
population, which could relate in a certain way also to the limitation of the study in the sense 
of possibility of a wider application of the obtained results. However, taking in consideration a 
great importance of the army as a special part of social community, the theoretical and practical 
value of this research is unquestionable.  
Declaration of Conflicting Interests 
The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, 
and/or publication of this article. 
 
  
Kinesiologia Slovenica, 28, 2, 79-91 (2022), ISSN 1318-2269   Pulmonary Function of Soldiers of Different Age Groups  90 
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