Respiratory Muscle Strength in Healthy Indian Children of Age 7–17 Years: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Purpose As the values of respiratory muscle strength vary according to race, ethnicity, and geographical area, there is a wide-ranging difference among different populations. Thus, the available reference values may not have an application for use in the Indian paediatric population, creating a need for generating values which will be appropriate for the Indian paediatric context. Materials and Methods Assessment of respiratory muscle strength was carried out by assessing maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) and maximal expiratory pressure (MEP) and synthesising predictive formulas using anthropometric variables like height, gender and age, which will be suitable for Indian children. Results We calculated MIP and MEP of 320 (boys=160 and girls= 160) children in the age range of 7 years to 17 years of Mangaluru city, India. Results stated that mean MIP and MEP for boys were 72.5±32.8 cm H 2 O and 73±33.2 cm H 2 O, while for the girls it was 67±30.2 cm H 2 O and 68±30.1 cm H 2 O, respectively. Conclusion This study concluded that there is a difference in respiratory pressure values of Indian children with respect to those of other countries. Age, gender, height and BMI have a significant role in determining respiratory muscle strength. Boys demonstrated higher MIP and MEP. As age, height, weight and BMI increases, so does MIP and MEP.

The effect of summer holidays on body composition and respiratory muscle strength in pubescent swimmers

“…In one study, children practicing yoga demonstrated higher inspiratory and expiratory muscle strength after a 3-month summer break when compared with their normally active peers (De Souza Espindola et al, 2021). Some studies demonstrate that anthropomorphic parameters and participation in aerobic exercises are the factors influencing respiratory muscle strength in children (Dassios & Dimitriou, 2019;Patil et al, 2020). Swimming is a typical aerobic activity, thus young athlete swimmers display higher values of pulmonary parameters than non-swimmers and inactive children (Rochat et al, 2022).…”