Effects of enhanced physical education on lung volumes of primary school children.
OBJECTIVE
To test the impact of an enhanced physical education programme upon the growth and development of static and dynamic lung volumes of primary schoolchildren.


METHODS
Quasi-experimental three factor design (treatment x gender x urban vs rural environment) with students evaluated over each of 6 years of primary school.


METHODS
Entire classes from State schools in urban and rural environment.


METHODS
All willing students aged 7-12 years in selected classes; initially 546 students, with 4% drop-out rate per year.


METHODS
Five hours of additional physical education per week, taught by specialist.


METHODS
Body dimension (height, body mass), aerobic power (treadmill to exhaustion), forced vital capacity (FVC), one second forced expiratory volume (FEV1.0).


RESULTS
Small but statistically significant influences of treatment, gender (M > F) and environment (rural > urban) which could not be explained by body size. Both FVC and FEV1.0 conform closely to cubic functions of height in metres: Boys FVC = 0.93 (H)3, FEV1.0 = 0.79 (H)3. Girls FVC +/- 0.85 (H)3, FEV1.0 = 0.76 (H)3.


CONCLUSIONS
A regular physical education programme can enhance lung volumes in primary school students. Norms should allow for gender differences, and reflect the potential attainment of students receiving adequate physical training and living in an area of low air pollution.
Shephard
R J
RJ
Department des Sciences de la Santé, Université de Québec à Trois Rivières, Ontario.
Lavallée
H
H
D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D008176:Lung Volume Measurements; D008297:Male; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D010806:Physical Education and Training; D012424:Rural Population; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D014505:Urban Population; D014797:Vital Capacity