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Standard reference and percentiles of maximum respiratory pressures values of healthy children aged 7–10 years

Abstract

Objective:

This study aims to present standard reference for values of maximum respiratory pressures of healthy schoolchildren, according to gender.

Methods:

This is a cross-sectional study involving healthy children aged 7–10 years. Data of body mass and height were evaluated to calculate body mass index (BMI). In addition, forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) and maximal expiratory pressure values were evaluated according to the American Thoracic Society. The maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) and data of maximal expiratory pressure (MEP) obtained in the study showed normal distribution and curves were built by the Lambda–Mu–Sigma (LMS) method, as well as the values of MIP and MEP percentiles 3, 10, 25, 50, 75, 90, and 97 for each gender.

Results:

MIP and MEP data were collected from 399 schoolchildren. All schoolchildren in the sample had adequate FEV1 and BMI. The study showed an increase in respiratory pressure values with age progression. The MIP and MEP values of girls were of 53.4±11.0 and 61.8±12.5cmH2O, respectively, and those of boys were 59.9±13.6 and 69.6±15.7cmH2O, respectively.

Conclusions:

Normal curves and percentiles were developed for MIP and MEP values of healthy schoolchildren. The extreme percentiles (3rd and 97th) were determined, and a specific graph was elaborated for each group. These graphs may help clinical follow-up and therapeutic monitoring of different pediatric populations.

Keywords:
Respiratory muscles; Children; Muscle strength

Resumo

Objetivo:

Apresentar distribuição normal para os valores das pressões respiratórias máximas de escolares saudáveis, de acordo com o gênero.

Métodos:

Estudo transversal envolvendo crianças saudáveis de 7 a 10 anos. Foram avaliados os dados de massa corporal e estatura, para o cálculo do índice de massa corporal (IMC). Os valores de volume expiratório forçado no primeiro segundo (VEF1) e pressão expiratória máxima foram avaliados de acordo com a American Thoracic Society. Os dados de pressão inspiratória máxima (PImáx) e pressão expiratória máxima (PEmáx) obtidos no estudo deram origem à distribuição normal, cuja construção foi elaborada pelo método the Lambda-Mu-Sigma (LMS), bem como os percentis 3, 10, 25, 50, 75, 90 e 97 de PImáx e PImáx de cada sexo.

Resultados:

Os dados de PImáx e PImáx foram coletados de 399 escolares. Todos os escolares da amostra apresentavam VEF1 e índice de massa corporal adequados. O estudo mostrou aumento dos valores de pressão respiratória com o avançar da idade. Os valores de PImáx e PImáx das meninas foram de 53,49±11,07 e 61,80±12,51cmH2O, respectivamente; e os meninos de 59,96±13,66 e 69,68±15,72 cmH2O, respectivamente.

Conclusões:

Foram desenvolvidas curvas e percentis normais para os valores de PImáx e PImáx de escolares saudáveis o que poderia auxiliar no acompanhamento clínico e terapêutico de diferentes populações pediátricas.

Palavras-chave:
Músculos respiratórios; Criança; Força muscular

INTRODUCTION

Respiratory muscle strength (RMS) normative values are essential to diseases and healthy individuals. For that, in diseases, maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) and maximal expiratory pressure (MEP) are used to diagnose, indicate prognosis, and determine treatment. In health conditions, specifically for kids, assessing the RMS helps monitor growth and development.11. Patil SP, Deodhar A, Jadhav S. Respiratory muscle strength in children in age group 7-12 years: a cross-sectional observational pilot. Int J Health Sci. 2020;10:145-56.,22. Ramos M, Silva DM, Buchaim DV, Buchaim RL, Audi M. Evaluation of respiratory muscular strength compared to predicted values in patients with stroke Sarah. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020;17:1091. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17031091
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17031091...

Usually, RMS studies in pediatrics have indicated adjusted models proposals,33. Nascimento RA, Campos TF, Melo JB, Borja RO, Freitas DA, Mendonça KM. Obtained and predicted values for maximal respiratory pressures of Brazilian children. J Hum Growth Dev. 2012;22:166-72. https://doi.org/10.7322/jhgd.44946
https://doi.org/10.7322/jhgd.44946...
,44. Barreto LM, Duarte MA, Moura SC, Alexandre BL, Augusto LS, Fontes MJ. Comparison of measured and predicted values for maximum respiratory pressures in healthy students. Fisioter Pesqui. 2013;20:235-43. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1809-29502013000300007
https://doi.org/10.1590/S1809-2950201300...
,55. Heinzmann-Filho JP, Vidal PC, Jones MH, Donadio MV. Normal values for respiratory muscle strength in healthy preschoolers and school children. Respir Med. 2012;106:1639-46. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rmed.2012.08.015
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rmed.2012.08.0...
,66. Gomes EL, Peixoto-Souza FS, Carvalho EF, Nascimento ES, Sampaio LM, Eloi JS, et al. Maximum respiratory pressures: values found and predicted in children. J Lung Pulm Respir Res. 2014;1:62-7. https://doi.org/10.15406/jlprr.2014.01.00014
https://doi.org/10.15406/jlprr.2014.01.0...
,77. Borja RO, Campos TF, Freitas DA, Macêdo TM, Mendonça WC, Mendonla KM, et al. Predicted normal values for maximal respiratory pressures in children. ConScientiae Saúde. 2015;14:187-94. https://doi.org/10.5585/conssaude.v14n2.5109
https://doi.org/10.5585/conssaude.v14n2....
,88. Rosa GJ, Morcillo AM, Assumpção MS, Schivinski CI. Predictive equations for maximal respiratory pressures of children aged 7–10. Braz J Phys Ther. 2017;21:30-6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bjpt.2016.04.002
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bjpt.2016.04.0...
,99. Domènech-Clar R, López-Andreu JA, Compte-Torrero L, De Diego-Damiá A, Macián-Gisbert V, Perpiñá-Tordera M, et al. Maximal static respiratory pressures in children and adolescents. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2003;35:126-32. https://doi.org/10.1002/ppul.10217
https://doi.org/10.1002/ppul.10217...
which allow only to explain a small part of the variability of the dependent variables; these variables are listed for the equations composition, elaborated to predict values of both MIP and MEP.

In general, the models use anthropometric factors such as age, weight, and height as predictor variables and have a very low adjusted coefficient of determination, around 30%.44. Barreto LM, Duarte MA, Moura SC, Alexandre BL, Augusto LS, Fontes MJ. Comparison of measured and predicted values for maximum respiratory pressures in healthy students. Fisioter Pesqui. 2013;20:235-43. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1809-29502013000300007
https://doi.org/10.1590/S1809-2950201300...
,88. Rosa GJ, Morcillo AM, Assumpção MS, Schivinski CI. Predictive equations for maximal respiratory pressures of children aged 7–10. Braz J Phys Ther. 2017;21:30-6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bjpt.2016.04.002
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bjpt.2016.04.0...
It is known that only two studies presented coefficients that exceeded 50%.55. Heinzmann-Filho JP, Vidal PC, Jones MH, Donadio MV. Normal values for respiratory muscle strength in healthy preschoolers and school children. Respir Med. 2012;106:1639-46. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rmed.2012.08.015
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rmed.2012.08.0...
,66. Gomes EL, Peixoto-Souza FS, Carvalho EF, Nascimento ES, Sampaio LM, Eloi JS, et al. Maximum respiratory pressures: values found and predicted in children. J Lung Pulm Respir Res. 2014;1:62-7. https://doi.org/10.15406/jlprr.2014.01.00014
https://doi.org/10.15406/jlprr.2014.01.0...
These pieces of evidence indicate little accuracy in the proposed equations and suggest that the use of certain equations is more appropriate if restricted to the populations in which they were developed. This is because the proposal of these models to “predict” the average expected value is fragile because the “forecast error” factor is large.

Only estimating or predicting a child’s mean of MIP and MEP by predicted equations and normality values has not shown clinical significance, since it does not consider the variability of the measure for individuals with similar characteristics. This happens because not all individuals in the same community or region present MIP and MEP values equal to the average. The regional variability is widely discussed,88. Rosa GJ, Morcillo AM, Assumpção MS, Schivinski CI. Predictive equations for maximal respiratory pressures of children aged 7–10. Braz J Phys Ther. 2017;21:30-6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bjpt.2016.04.002
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bjpt.2016.04.0...
,1010. Schivinski CI, Gonçalves RM, Castilho T. Reference values for respiratory muscle strength in Brazilian children: a review. J Hum Growth Dev. 2016;26:374-9. https://doi.org/10.7322/jhgd.122912
https://doi.org/10.7322/jhgd.122912...
,1111. Chen HI, Kuo CS. Relationship between respiratory muscle function and age, sex, and other factors. J Appl Physiol (1985). 1989;66:943-8. https://doi.org/10.1152/jappl.1989.66.2.943
https://doi.org/10.1152/jappl.1989.66.2....
,1212. Fauroux B. Lofaso F. Measurements of respiratory musccle function in children. Paediatric Pulmonary Function Testing. Prog Respir Res. 2005:138-47. https://doi.org/10.1159/000083531
https://doi.org/10.1159/000083531...
,1313. No authors listed. Lung function testing: Selection of reference values and interpretative strategies. American Thoracic Society. Am Rev Respi Dis. 1991;144:1202-18. https://doi.org/10.1164/ajrccm/144.5.1202
https://doi.org/10.1164/ajrccm/144.5.120...
but the variability of the measure itself is not. In this sense, analyzing whether or not the RMS measure verified in a patient by means of MIP and MEP values is adequate to the variability observed in their age and gender group seems to be substantial, since new proposals of equations for RMS parameters do not seem to meet the current clinical need.

A more elaborate methodological and data analysis design is necessary, such as developing a normal distribution and its percentiles. Thus, the objective of this study was to present standard references for MIP and MEP values of healthy schoolchildren, according to gender and ages between 7 and 10 years.

METHOD

The standard reference was developed with data from a reference values study of maximum respiratory pressures of schoolchildren,88. Rosa GJ, Morcillo AM, Assumpção MS, Schivinski CI. Predictive equations for maximal respiratory pressures of children aged 7–10. Braz J Phys Ther. 2017;21:30-6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bjpt.2016.04.002
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bjpt.2016.04.0...
approved by the Ethics and Research Committee on Human Beings of the State University of Santa Catarina (CAAE 01821712.6.0000.0118/Opinion 63455). In this study, healthy, collaborative, and eutrophic students, aged between 7 and 10 years, from three public schools in Florianópolis, belonging to a percentile of body mass index (BMI) >3 and <85 classified according to the Brazilian Ministry of Health,1414. Brazil - Ministério da Saúde [homepage on the Internet]. Programa Telessaúde Brasil. São Paulo (SP): Programa Telessaúde Brasil Redes; 2020 [cited 2013 Apr 20]. Available from: https://aps.bvs.br/apps/calculadoras/?page=7
https://aps.bvs.br/apps/calculadoras/?pa...
and capable of understanding and adequately performing all evaluation procedures were involved. The evaluations took place in the morning, with the schools’ permission and parents and child’s consent. The same examiner conducted the assessment of weight (precision 0.1kg) and height (precision 0.5cm), using a weight scale with an attached stadiometer (Welmy, 200/50g). The child remained barefoot, with an erect and aligned body, with minimal clothing to obtain these measures. The schools in the city were invited to participate in the study, and only three accepted the invitation, i.e., two private schools and one public, elementary, and high school, with approximately 500 students from each school. The three institutions are located in Greater Florianópolis and correspond to middle-class students On the occasion, ethical terms were sent to those responsible for each of the students, the Health Questionnaire the International Study of Asthma and Allergies Questionnaire (ISSAC), as well as the guidelines and objectives of the research. All students who returned with a signed parent’s consent and completed ISAAC and health questionnaire were evaluated. It was considered for inclusion in the statistical analysis only the RMS data of the students considered healthy.

The children’s health status was controlled by applying a health questionnaire developed by the researchers to control the absence of diagnosis or history of cardiorespiratory, musculoskeletal, rheumatic, neurological diseases, and auditory or visual deficits. The parents answered the questionnaire, and it had questions related to the practice of physical activity, home context, the use of medications, current or past illnesses, and history of hospitalizations. A questionnaire regarding respiratory symptoms, the ISAAC asthma module, was also applied, with questions related to the symptomatology of the past 12 months, with a total score of 14 points.1515. Solé D, Vanna AT, Yamada E, Rizzo MC, Naspitz CK. International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) written questionnaire: validation of the asthma component among Brazilian children. J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol. 1998;8:376-82. Schoolchildren aged 7–9 years who presented scores equal to or higher than 5 points or schoolchildren aged 10 years with scores equal to or higher than 6 points due to the risk of asthma1616. Maçãira EF, Algrandi E, Stelmach R, Ribeiro M, Nunes MP, Mendonça EM, et al. Determining the score and cut-off point that would identify asthmatic adults in epidemiological studies using the asthma module of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood questionnaire. J Bras Pneumol. 2000;31:44-59. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1806-37132005000600004
https://doi.org/10.1590/S1806-3713200500...
were not included in the study. Also, there were excluded children with acute illness at the time of data collection and those whose questionnaires were involved in the research had answers of questionable content. Children with forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) less than 80% of predicted by Polgar and Promadhat1717. Polgar G, Promadhat V, editors. Pulmonary function testing in children: techniques and standards. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders Company; 1971. were also not part of the sample. FEV1 was obtained through a digital monitor (PIKo-1, nSpire Health, USA), following the American Thoracic Society (ATS) guidelines and performance criteria.1818. Laveneziana P, Albuquerque A, Aliverti A, Babb T, Barreiro E, Dres M, et al. ERS statement on respiratory muscle testing at rest and during exercise. Eur Respir J. 2019;53:1801214. https://doi.org/10.1183/13993003.01214-2018
https://doi.org/10.1183/13993003.01214-2...
The highest value of three measurements were recorded, with a 30-second interval between them, and two that did not differ by more than 0.15L in a maximum of five maneuvers.

Subsequently, maximum respiratory pressures were obtained through a digital manovacuometer with a one-way valve MVD300 (G-MED, Brazil) accuracy 0–300cmH2O, resolution 1cmH2O, and error of 1.8cmH2O. The measurements were performed by a single examiner and respecting the standards and criteria of the ATS.1919. American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society. ATS/ERS Statement on respiratory muscle testing. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2002;166:518-624. https://doi.org/10.1164/rccm.166.4.518
https://doi.org/10.1164/rccm.166.4.518...
MEP was measured from an inspiration close to total lung capacity, followed by maximal expiration. The child expired up to near the residual volume and then carried out maximum inspiration in the sitting position to obtain the MIP. A minimum of three and a maximum of seven maneuvers were conducted for each of the measures of MIP and MEP. The measurements were considered satisfactory when the maximum value of three acceptable maneuvers (without leaks and lasting for at least 2 seconds) and reproducible varied less than 20% between them; the largest measure was recorded. There was an interval between 30 and 40 seconds between each maneuver of each measurement. Between the measurement of MIP and MEP, an interval of 3 minutes was guaranteed to avoid tiredness during an assessment. Only one evaluator conducted data collection; all evaluations of each subject were performed on the same day.

The MIP or MEP data obtained in the sample of healthy schoolchildren gave rise to standard references. The Lambda-Mu-Sigma (LMS) method2020. Cole TJ. The LMS method for constructing normalized growth standards. Eur J Clin Nutr. 1990;44:45-60.,2121. Cole TJ, Green PJ. Smoothing reference centile curves: The lms method and penalized likelihood. Stat Med. 1992;11:1305-19. https://doi.org/10.1002/sim.4780111005
https://doi.org/10.1002/sim.4780111005...
,2222. Cole TJ. The use and construction of anthropometric growth reference standards. Nutr Res Rev. 1993;1:19-50. https://doi.org/10.1079/NRR19930005
https://doi.org/10.1079/NRR19930005...
was used to construct the curves. The software LMS chartmaker version 2.4 (Copyright 1997–2008; Medical Research Council, UK) was used to determine the L, M, and S parameters and the 3, 10, 25, 50, 75, 90, and 97 percentiles of the MIP and MEP. The z-score of any MIP or MEP value observed in children aged from 7 to 10 years from the L, M and S parameters was determined using the following formulas:2020. Cole TJ. The LMS method for constructing normalized growth standards. Eur J Clin Nutr. 1990;44:45-60.

z=y/ML1L×SifL#0z=Logy/MSifL=0

RESULTS

A total of 625 children were evaluated, and 209 of them were excluded for not meeting the inclusion criteria (Figure 1) and 17 refused to participate in the research. MIP and MEP data have been analyzed in 399 schoolchildren, of whom 101 were 7 years old (51 boys), 102 were 8 years old (50 boys), 101 were 9 years old (51 boys), and 95 were 10 years old (46 boys) (Table 1). All the students in the sample had adequate lung function and BMI.

Figure 1.
Flowchart of studied infants.
Table 1.
Anthropometric and ventilatory variables according to gender and age.

Tables 2 and 3 show the percentiles (P3, P10, P25, P50, P75, P90, and P97) of MEP and MIP, respectively, of girls and boys, between 7 and 10 years old. Normal data distribution of +MIP represents the percentiles behavior, according to the age of both genders, which are presented in Figure 2. Figure 3 shows the normal distribution for the MEP curves. There was an increase in the values of the maximum respiratory pressures with the progression of age.

Table 2.
Maximal expiratory pressure percentiles in 7- to 10-year-old boys and girls.
Table 3.
Maximal inspiratory pressure percentiles in 7- to 10-year-old boys and girls.
Figure 2.
Normal distributions, according to each percentile, of the maximal inspiratory pressures for females (A) and males (B).
Figure 3.
Normal distributions, according to each percentile, of the maximal expiratory pressures for females (A) and males (B).

DISCUSSION

This study determined the extreme percentiles (3rd and 97th) for MIP and MEP values of healthy children of three schools of Florianópolis. Reference values for RMS of Brazilian children were proposed in several country regions;33. Nascimento RA, Campos TF, Melo JB, Borja RO, Freitas DA, Mendonça KM. Obtained and predicted values for maximal respiratory pressures of Brazilian children. J Hum Growth Dev. 2012;22:166-72. https://doi.org/10.7322/jhgd.44946
https://doi.org/10.7322/jhgd.44946...
99. Domènech-Clar R, López-Andreu JA, Compte-Torrero L, De Diego-Damiá A, Macián-Gisbert V, Perpiñá-Tordera M, et al. Maximal static respiratory pressures in children and adolescents. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2003;35:126-32. https://doi.org/10.1002/ppul.10217
https://doi.org/10.1002/ppul.10217...
although there is wide variability, these constitute clinical parameters of MIP and MEP. To date, percentiles and curves of normal distribution of RMS for Brazilian children have not yet been proposed.

When plotting curves and percentiles, at least 100 cases are required for each age group for percentile accuracy. However, the curves presented here were developed for each gender, totaling 50 cases in each curve, which can be considered a limitation. In clinical practice, having access to reference values that express the observed variability in the population is essential for health professionals who follow the growth and development of the pediatric age group. Additionally, identifying whether a child has RMS above or below average or even 25% above average does not translate to the health professional, a physician, or physiotherapist who will propose a muscle training program; the actual clinical condition; and potential evolution of an individual. Nevertheless, highlighting that an RMS-related parameter, such as the MIP of a child, is less than the 5th percentile, which means that 5% or less of the healthy children have MIP lower than hers, is consistent information. Although the sample is characterized by the origin of public schools and, consequently, low income is possible, the majority corresponded to values of MIP and MEP compatible with data established in the literature. That said, social income does not seem to have compromised the examination’s understanding, and RMS was measured indirectly by manovacuometry.

Recently, Hulzebos et al.2323. Hulzebos E, Takken T, Reijneveld EA, Mulder MM, Bongers BC. Reference values for respiratory muscle strength in children and adolescents. Respiration. 2018;95:235-43. https://doi.org/10.1159/000485464
https://doi.org/10.1159/000485464...
established distribution curves for healthy Dutch children and young people, aged from 8 to 19 years, based on reference values of 117 boys and 134 girls. The adjusted coefficient of determination values was close to 50%; however, when subdividing the sample into ages, the authors determined percentiles based on subgroups composed of an average of 20 children. Furthermore, unlike the present study, which included a narrower age group (ages 7–10 years), it was restricted to pediatrics and included 50 students for each age group.

However, on the differences of the age group and average values of the RMS, it is observed that when comparing with other populations, our MIP and MEP averages are lower.55. Heinzmann-Filho JP, Vidal PC, Jones MH, Donadio MV. Normal values for respiratory muscle strength in healthy preschoolers and school children. Respir Med. 2012;106:1639-46. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rmed.2012.08.015
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rmed.2012.08.0...
,2323. Hulzebos E, Takken T, Reijneveld EA, Mulder MM, Bongers BC. Reference values for respiratory muscle strength in children and adolescents. Respiration. 2018;95:235-43. https://doi.org/10.1159/000485464
https://doi.org/10.1159/000485464...
In addition to the different age groups, in the present study, we used the specific reference equation for the population.44. Barreto LM, Duarte MA, Moura SC, Alexandre BL, Augusto LS, Fontes MJ. Comparison of measured and predicted values for maximum respiratory pressures in healthy students. Fisioter Pesqui. 2013;20:235-43. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1809-29502013000300007
https://doi.org/10.1590/S1809-2950201300...
Furthermore, the anthropometric differences between children of the same age group are considerable.55. Heinzmann-Filho JP, Vidal PC, Jones MH, Donadio MV. Normal values for respiratory muscle strength in healthy preschoolers and school children. Respir Med. 2012;106:1639-46. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rmed.2012.08.015
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rmed.2012.08.0...
These findings reinforce the guidance of the ATS to develop reference values and specific normality curves for each population.

Attention exclusively to the behavior of the pediatric age group becomes relevant since the study of RMS in this population has been the focus of recent investigations,2424. Vendrusculo FM, Heinzmann-Filho JP, Piva TC, Marostica PJ, Donadio MV. Inspiratory muscle strength and endurance in children and adolescents with cystic fibrosis. Respir Care. 2016;61:184-91. https://doi.org/10.4187/respcare.04231
https://doi.org/10.4187/respcare.04231...
,2525. Radtke T, Nevitt S, Hebestreit H, Kriemler S. Physical exercise training for cystic fibrosis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017;11:CD002768. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD002768.pub4
https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD00276...
,2626. Natan H, Moya AS. Respiratory muscle training for cystic fibrosis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2018;5:CD006112. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD006112.pub4
https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD00611...
mainly since muscle strength is impaired by typical diseases and related to childhood. There are neuromuscular diseases, which evolve with progressive weakness of the intercostal and diaphragmatic muscles and the abdominal muscles. This decrease in strength determines the ineffectiveness of cough, a deficit in the clearance of airway secretions, dysfunction of respiratory mechanics, and postural changes, which usually results in respiratory failure.2727. Khirani S, Dabaj I, Amaddeo A, Ramirez A, Quijano-Roy S, Fauroux B. The value of respiratory muscle testing in a child with congenital muscular dystrophy. Respirol Case Rep. 2014;2:95-8. https://doi.org/10.1002/rcr2.61
https://doi.org/10.1002/rcr2.61...
Therefore, the application of specific protocols for RMS training in this population, although still controversial,2626. Natan H, Moya AS. Respiratory muscle training for cystic fibrosis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2018;5:CD006112. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD006112.pub4
https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD00611...
seems to improve not only the measured values of MIP and MEP itself but also the peak of cough flow, fundamental for maintaining the integrity of the respiratory system.2828. Aslan GK, Gurses HN, Issever H, Kiyan E. Effects of respiratory muscle training on pulmonary functions in patients with slowly progressive neuromuscular disease: a randomized controlled trial. Clin Rehabil. 2014;28:573-81. https://doi.org/10.1177/0269215513512215
https://doi.org/10.1177/0269215513512215...
In asthma, respiratory muscle training appears to increase MIP and MEP, as well as expiratory peak flow, which suggests a reduction in airway obstruction.2929. Lima EV, Lima W, Nobre A, Santos AM, Brito LM, Costa MR. Inspiratory muscle training and respiratory exercises in children with asthma. J Bras Pneumol. 2003;34:552-8. https://doi.org/10.1590/s1806-37132008000800003
https://doi.org/10.1590/s1806-3713200800...
In children with cystic fibrosis (CF), RMS changes are still not well characterized. MIP and MEP values may be preserved, attributed to a possible “training” effect due to increased respiratory work resulting from the disease progression2424. Vendrusculo FM, Heinzmann-Filho JP, Piva TC, Marostica PJ, Donadio MV. Inspiratory muscle strength and endurance in children and adolescents with cystic fibrosis. Respir Care. 2016;61:184-91. https://doi.org/10.4187/respcare.04231
https://doi.org/10.4187/respcare.04231...
or decreased due to pulmonary hyperinflation and malnutrition.2424. Vendrusculo FM, Heinzmann-Filho JP, Piva TC, Marostica PJ, Donadio MV. Inspiratory muscle strength and endurance in children and adolescents with cystic fibrosis. Respir Care. 2016;61:184-91. https://doi.org/10.4187/respcare.04231
https://doi.org/10.4187/respcare.04231...
However, RMS in this population can be altered with physical training,88. Rosa GJ, Morcillo AM, Assumpção MS, Schivinski CI. Predictive equations for maximal respiratory pressures of children aged 7–10. Braz J Phys Ther. 2017;21:30-6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bjpt.2016.04.002
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bjpt.2016.04.0...
and a study has identified higher MIP and MEP values in patients with CF who exercise regularly compared to those who do not.88. Rosa GJ, Morcillo AM, Assumpção MS, Schivinski CI. Predictive equations for maximal respiratory pressures of children aged 7–10. Braz J Phys Ther. 2017;21:30-6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bjpt.2016.04.002
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bjpt.2016.04.0...
However, the application of specific training is still controversial since there is still insufficient evidence on the benefits of this intervention. It is relevant to emphasize that the proper prescription of respiratory muscle training depends directly on the proper evaluation and applicability of the curves.2626. Natan H, Moya AS. Respiratory muscle training for cystic fibrosis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2018;5:CD006112. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD006112.pub4
https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD00611...

In turn, in healthy children, RMS has been related to anthropometric measures and physical activity levels.3030. Jung RG, Schivinski CI. Assessment of respiratory muscle strength in children according to the classification of body mass index. Rev Paul Pediatr. 2014;32:250-5. https://doi.org/10.1590/0103-0582201432210313
https://doi.org/10.1590/0103-05822014322...
,3131. Thivel D, Ring-Dimitriou S, Weghuber D, Frelut ML, O’Malley G. Muscle strength and fitness in pediatric obesity: a systematic review from the European Childhood Obesity Group. Obes Facts. 2016;9:52063. https://doi.org/10.1159/000443687
https://doi.org/10.1159/000443687...
,3232. Chaves GS, Teixeira MA, Freitas DA, Mendes RE, Maciel ÁC, Mendonça KM. Maximal respiratory pressures of Brazilian adolescents with different levels of physical activity. ConScientiae Saúde. 2013;12:274-81. https://doi.org/10.5585/ConsSaude.v12n2.4227
https://doi.org/10.5585/ConsSaude.v12n2....
BMI, for example, is strongly related to RMS, probably due to the restriction caused by adipose tissue that causes respiratory work overload.3030. Jung RG, Schivinski CI. Assessment of respiratory muscle strength in children according to the classification of body mass index. Rev Paul Pediatr. 2014;32:250-5. https://doi.org/10.1590/0103-0582201432210313
https://doi.org/10.1590/0103-05822014322...
3232. Chaves GS, Teixeira MA, Freitas DA, Mendes RE, Maciel ÁC, Mendonça KM. Maximal respiratory pressures of Brazilian adolescents with different levels of physical activity. ConScientiae Saúde. 2013;12:274-81. https://doi.org/10.5585/ConsSaude.v12n2.4227
https://doi.org/10.5585/ConsSaude.v12n2....
In addition to these factors, the physical activity level of healthy children is also related to RMS since higher values of MIP and MEP are related to physical activity practice.2828. Aslan GK, Gurses HN, Issever H, Kiyan E. Effects of respiratory muscle training on pulmonary functions in patients with slowly progressive neuromuscular disease: a randomized controlled trial. Clin Rehabil. 2014;28:573-81. https://doi.org/10.1177/0269215513512215
https://doi.org/10.1177/0269215513512215...
Thus, physical training programs, even nonspecific ones, can improve RMS parameters.

In this context, the applicability of the normal distributions extrapolates disease conditions. However, this seems to be indicated for the prevention and control of the entire infantile population, since RMS can be altered due to chronic respiratory and neurodegenerative diseases and postural and childhood obesity. Therefore, the evaluation, classification, and follow-up of representative parameters of RMS, such as MIP and MEP values, through an instrument of easy application and interpretation, such as the curves presented here, can guide the control of diseases progression and therapeutic interventions, assist the prescription of more specific training, and facilitate the detection of conditions that may influence the quality of life of a child.

One limitation of the current research is that the curves were developed based on data from schoolchildren from only one city in Brazil, which can compromise the external validity of the research and the consequent generalization of the results to the behavior of the RMS for all students in the country. However, considering that, in the Southern region, Florianópolis has great ethnic diversity, whose inhabitants have had influences from Portuguese, German, Italian, Japanese, Austrian, and Polish immigrants, it is a city that reflects the character of the country’s miscegenation. In addition, it is one of the capitals that receive the most migrants from different states and Haitians due to the good quality of life it offers, which also contributes to a more eclectic profile of schoolchildren.

The standard reference and percentiles were presented for healthy schoolchildren’s MIP and MEP values developed according to gender and ages from 7 to 10 years. In addition, the extreme percentiles (3rd and 97th) were determined, and a specific graph was elaborated for each group, which could contribute to the clinical and therapeutic monitoring of different pediatric populations.

  • Funding
    This study did not receive any funding.

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Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    27 May 2022
  • Date of issue
    2022

History

  • Received
    11 Jan 2021
  • Accepted
    29 Aug 2021
Sociedade de Pediatria de São Paulo R. Maria Figueiredo, 595 - 10o andar, 04002-003 São Paulo - SP - Brasil, Tel./Fax: (11 55) 3284-0308; 3289-9809; 3284-0051 - São Paulo - SP - Brazil
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