Association of Physical Fitness and Anthropometric Parameters With Lung Function in 7-Year-Old Children

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Health
• Respiratory Physiology
• Anthropometry

Background:

• Lung function development in childhood is crucial for long-term respiratory health.
• Understanding the influence of physical fitness and body measurements on lung capacity is essential.
• Limited data exists on these associations in early school-aged children.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between physical fitness and anthropometric parameters with lung function in healthy 7-year-old children.
• To identify specific fitness and anthropometric indicators that correlate with lung capacity.
• To establish a foundation for promoting respiratory health through lifestyle interventions in early childhood.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 418 healthy 7-year-old children was assessed.
• Lung function was measured using forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1).
• Physical fitness (handgrip strength, standing broad jump, 800-m run) and anthropometric (waist circumference, BMI) parameters were evaluated using mixed-linear regression models.

Main Results:

• Girls exhibited significantly lower FVC and physical fitness levels compared to boys.
• Waist circumference was independently associated with FVC, explaining 34.6% of its variance.
• Handgrip strength and waist circumference were independently associated with FEV1, collectively explaining 26.5% of its variance.

Conclusions:

• Handgrip strength and waist circumference are key indicators associated with lung function in healthy children.
• Upper body muscular strength and trunk dimensions significantly influence lung capacity.
• Encouraging physical fitness in childhood is vital for mitigating future lung complications.