Respiratory endurance testing in healthy children

Background A respiratory endurance test (RET) that allows hyperventilation without decrease of arterial carbon dioxid (CO 2 ) has been used in adult subjects to assess respiratory endurance. Until now, this test has never been performed with healthy children. Methods A total of 83 subjects 10 to 12 years old participated in this study. The RET was performed with the SpiroTiger®, a device that allows hyperventilation without decrease in arterial CO 2 . In order to assess endurance performance, a 6 min running test was performed and the physical activity was measured by an accelerometer. The aim of the study was to analyze the feasibility of a RET in school children. Furthermore, the relationship between the respiratory endurance and the endurance performance as well as the physical activity was investigated. Results Median and interquartile range for respiratory endurance was 199 s and 155 s. There was a trend for boys to have a higher respiratory endurance (p = 0.069). Respiratory endurance was independent of lung function and physical activity. There is no correlation between respiratory endurance and the endurance performance for boys (r = 0.233, p = 0.232) or girls (r = 0.248, p = 0.171). Conclusion We have shown that the respiratory endurance test performed with the SpiroTiger® is feasible in healthy children 10 to 12 years old. Reference data for the RET in this age group will be presented at the congress.