Expiratory flow limitation during exercise in prepubescent boys and girls: prevalence and implications
Open Access
- 1 May 2010
- journal article
- research article
- Published by American Physiological Society in Journal of Applied Physiology
- Vol. 108 (5), 1267-1274
- https://doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.00123.2009
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to compare the prevalence and implications of expiratory flow limitation (EFL) during exercise in boys and girls. Forty healthy, prepubescent boys (B; n = 20) and girls (G; n = 20) were tested. Subjects completed pulmonary function tests and an incremental cycle maximal oxygen uptake (V̇o2max) test. EFL was recorded at the end of each exercise stage using the % tidal volume overlap method. Ventilatory and metabolic data were recorded throughout exercise. Arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2) was determined via pulse oximetry. Body composition was determined using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. There were no differences ( P > 0.05) in height, weight, or body composition between boys and girls. At rest, boys had significantly higher lung volumes (total lung capacity, B = 2.6 ± 0.5 liters, G = 2.1 ± 0.5 liters) and peak expiratory flow rates (B = 3.6 ± 0.6 l/s; G = 1.6 ± 0.3 l/s). Boys also had significantly higher V̇o2max (B = 46.9 ± 5.9 ml·kg lean body mass−1·min−1, G = 41.7 ± 6.6 ml·kg lean body mass−1·min−1) and maximal ventilation (B = 49.8 ± 8.8 l/min, G = 41.2 ± 8.3 l/min) compared with girls. There were no sex differences ( P > 0.05) at V̇o2max in VE /Vco2, end-tidal Pco2, heart rate, respiratory exchange ratio, or SpO2. The prevalence (B = 19/20 vs. G = 18/20) and severity (B = 58 ± 7% vs. G = 43 ± 8% tidal volume) of EFL was not significantly different in boys compared with girls at V̇o2max. A significant relationship existed between % EFL at V̇o2max and the change in end-expiratory lung volume from rest to maximal exercise in boys ( r = 0.77) and girls ( r = 0.75). In summary, our data suggests that EFL is highly and equally prevalent in prepubescent boys and girls during heavy exercise, which led to an increased end-expiratory lung volume but not to decreases in arterial oxygen saturation.Keywords
This publication has 36 references indexed in Scilit:
- Gender differences and determinants of aerobic fitness in children aged 8–11 yearsEuropean Journal of Applied Physiology, 2006
- Exercise-induced arterial hypoxemiaJournal of Applied Physiology, 1999
- Mechanical ventilatory constraints in aging, lung disease, and obesity: perspectives and brief reviewMedicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 1999
- Extent of expiratory flow limitation influences the increase in maximal exercise ventilation in hypoxiaRespiration Physiology, 1998
- Peak oxygen uptake and maturation in 12-yr oldsMedicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 1998
- Prepubescents’ Ventilatory Responses to Exercise With Reference to Sex and Body SizeSocial psychiatry. Sozialpsychiatrie. Psychiatrie sociale, 1997
- Ventilatory work and oxygen consumption during exercise and hyperventilationJournal of Applied Physiology, 1993
- Ventilatory response of prepubertal boys and adults to carbon dioxide at rest and during exerciseEuropean Journal of Applied Physiology, 1993
- Coupling of Ventilation and CO2 Production during Exercise in ChildrenPediatric Research, 1987
- Physical performance capacity of children in norwayEuropean Journal of Applied Physiology, 1974