Erik Hulzebos1, Tim Takken1, Elja A Reijneveld2, Mark M G Mulder1, Bart C Bongers3,4. 1. Child Development & Exercise Center, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands. 2. Physical Therapy Science, Program in Clinical Health Sciences, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands. 3. Department of Epidemiology, Care and Public Health Research Institute (CAPHRI), Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands. 4. SOMT University of Physiotherapy, Amersfoort, the Netherlands.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Measurement of respiratory muscle function is important in the diagnosis of respiratory muscle disease, respiratory failure, to assess the impact of chronic diseases, and/or to evaluate respiratory muscle function after treatment. OBJECTIVES: To establish reference values for maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressure, and the tension-time index at rest in healthy children and adolescents aged 8-19 years, as well as to present sex- and age-related reference centiles normalized for demographic and anthropometric determinants. METHODS: In this cross-sectional observational study, demographic, anthropometric, and spirometric data were assessed, as well as data on respiratory muscle strength (PImax and PEmax) and work of breathing at rest (TT0.1), in a total of 251 children (117 boys and 134 girls; mean age 13.4 ± 2.9 years). Reference values are presented as reference centiles developed by use of the lambda, mu, sigma method. RESULTS: Boys had significantly higher PImax and PEmax values. Next to sex and age, fat-free mass appeared to be an important predictor of respiratory muscle strength. Reference centiles demonstrated a slight, almost linear increase in PImax with age in boys, and a less steep increase with age in girls. TT0.1 values did not differ between boys and girls and decreased linearly with age. CONCLUSION: This study provides reference values for respiratory muscle strength and work of breathing at rest. In addition to sex and age, fat-free mass was found to be an important predictor of respiratory muscle strength in boys and girls.
BACKGROUND: Measurement of respiratory muscle function is important in the diagnosis of respiratory muscle disease, respiratory failure, to assess the impact of chronic diseases, and/or to evaluate respiratory muscle function after treatment. OBJECTIVES: To establish reference values for maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressure, and the tension-time index at rest in healthy children and adolescents aged 8-19 years, as well as to present sex- and age-related reference centiles normalized for demographic and anthropometric determinants. METHODS: In this cross-sectional observational study, demographic, anthropometric, and spirometric data were assessed, as well as data on respiratory muscle strength (PImax and PEmax) and work of breathing at rest (TT0.1), in a total of 251 children (117 boys and 134 girls; mean age 13.4 ± 2.9 years). Reference values are presented as reference centiles developed by use of the lambda, mu, sigma method. RESULTS:Boys had significantly higher PImax and PEmax values. Next to sex and age, fat-free mass appeared to be an important predictor of respiratory muscle strength. Reference centiles demonstrated a slight, almost linear increase in PImax with age in boys, and a less steep increase with age in girls. TT0.1 values did not differ between boys and girls and decreased linearly with age. CONCLUSION: This study provides reference values for respiratory muscle strength and work of breathing at rest. In addition to sex and age, fat-free mass was found to be an important predictor of respiratory muscle strength in boys and girls.
Authors: Stefan Dirks; Peter Kramer; Anastasia Schleiger; Hans-Martin Speck; Bernd Wolfarth; Thomas Thouet; Felix Berger; Hannes Sallmon; Stanislav Ovroutski Journal: Front Cardiovasc Med Date: 2022-02-07