Maximal respiratory pressures in healthy boys who practice swimming or indoor soccer and in healthy sedentary boys

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate respiratory muscle strength in boys who practice swimming or indoor soccer and in their sedentary counterparts. Seventy-five 7- and 8-year-old boys were included; 25 were swimmers (group 1), 25 played indoor soccer (group 2), and 25 were sedentary (group 3). All subjects underwent anthropometric evaluation. Maximal respiratory pressures were measured by manometry. Data were analyzed by using ANOVA and the Tukey–Kramer post hoc test (significance level: p < 0.05). Mean maximal inspiratory pressures in groups 1, 2, and 3 were –109.67 ± 11.06, –90.74 ± 16.06, and –90.67 ± 19.93 cm H2O, respectively (p < 0.001 by ANOVA; group 1 × group 2: p < 0.001; group 1 × group 3: p < 0.001; group 2 × group 3: p > 0.05 by Tukey–Kramer). Mean maximal expiratory pressures in groups 1, 2, and 3 were 108.17 ± 9.90, 92.32 ±11.67, and 91.33 ±15.17 cm H2O, respectively (p < 0.0001 by ANOVA; group 1 × group 2: p < 0.001; group 1 × group 3: p < 0.001; group 2 × group 3: p > 0.05 by Tukey–Kramer). Swimmers showed better maximal respiratory pressures than indoor soccer players and sedentary subjects. No significant difference was observed between the results for soccer players and sedentary subjects.