title: Maximal expiratory pressure in residential and non-residential school children.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Maximal Expiratory Pressure (MEP) is a powerful indicator for respiratory muscle strength, which reflects the ability of a person to cough effectively.
  
  
  METHODS
  The present study was designed on healthy respiratory symptom free children of a Residential - Sainik (50) and Non-Residential (44) school children (aged 12-14 yrs) of Bijapur, to evaluate MEP in relation to their physical anthropometry. MEP (mm Hg) was determined by using a modified Black's apparatus, which is significantly higher in Residential-Sainik school children in comparison to Non-Residential school children (p < 0.01).
  
  
  RESULTS
  In both groups, MEP showed positive correlation with height (Residential, r = 0.72, p < 0.001; Non-Residential, r = 0.73, p < 0.001); weight (Residential, r = 0.73, p < 0.001; Non-Residential, r = 0.69, p < 0.001), BSA (Residential, r = 0.79, p < 0.001; Non-Residential, r = 0.72, p < 0.001) and BMI (Residential, r = 0.48, p < 0.01; Non-Residential, r = 0.34, p < 0.05), and also revealed a higher MEP in children with greater chest expansion.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Possibly, routine physical exercise in residential Sainik school children attribute to their better respiratory muscle strength.
authors: Department of Physiology, B.L.D.E.A's Shri B.M. Patil Medical College, Bijapur, Karnataka, India. Deep - c@rediffimail.com
authors: Dipayan
authors: D
authors: Choudhuri
authors: Manjunath
authors: M
authors: Aithal
authors: Vasant A
authors: VA
authors: Kulkarni
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001827:Body Height; D001835:Body Weight; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D008297:Male; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D015656:Respiratory Mechanics / Q000502:physiology*