Changes in respiratory muscle endurance during puberty

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Pulmonology
• Respiratory Physiology
• Adolescent Health

Background:

• Respiratory muscle endurance is vital for assessing muscle function, particularly in children with respiratory and neuromuscular conditions.
• Puberty significantly impacts physical development, potentially affecting endurance in younger children compared to older ones.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare respiratory muscle endurance between pre- and peripubertal children and those nearing the end of puberty.
• To investigate the influence of pubertal stage on respiratory muscle endurance in healthy children.

Main Methods:

• A respiratory muscle endurance test was administered to two groups of healthy children: early pubertal (S1-S2/P1) and late pubertal (S4P4).
• A standardized method with a controlled breathing pattern was used, with a threshold load fixed at 50% of maximal inspiratory pressure (Pi(max)).

Main Results:

• Maximal inspiratory pressure (Pi(max)) did not significantly differ between the groups.
• Children in early puberty (S1-S2/P1) had a mean endurance time limit of 138 ± 20 seconds.
• Children nearing the end of puberty (S4P4) demonstrated significantly greater endurance, with most exceeding 20 minutes (1,200 seconds).

Conclusions:

• Inspiratory muscle endurance is significantly lower in children in early puberty compared to those at the end of the pubertal process.
• Current clinical testing loads may underestimate respiratory muscle susceptibility to task failure in prepubertal children.
• Establishing age-dependent respiratory muscle fatigue thresholds is clinically important for managing pediatric respiratory diseases.