Maximal expiratory pressure in residential and non-residential school children.
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.
Choudhuri
Dipayan
D
Department of Physiology, B.L.D.E.A's Shri B.M. Patil Medical College, Bijapur, Karnataka, India. Deep - c@rediffimail.com
Aithal
Manjunath
M
Kulkarni
Vasant A
VA
D000293:Adolescent; D001827:Body Height; D001835:Body Weight; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D008297:Male; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D015656:Respiratory Mechanics / Q000502:physiology*