RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: to compare the values obtained from the evaluation of maximal inspiratory pressure and maximal expiratory pressure in a sample of Brazilian children with reference values for maximal respiratory pressures proposed by Szeinberg et al., Domènech-Clar et al., and with the predicted equations proposed by Wilson et al. METHODS: observational, cross-sectional study. We assessed 40 female and male children from public schools, aged 7 to 10 years. Personal and anthropometric data were collected in addition to the measurement of maximal respiratory pressures by an MV150 analog manometer (Wika®). RESULTS: mean maximal inspiratory pressure was -61,50 ± 18,14 cmH2O and -70,55 ± 17,94 cmH2O for girls and boys, respectively. Mean maximal expiratory pressure was 77,40 ± 19,00 cmH2O and 77,40 ± 19,04 cmH2O for girls and boys, respectively. CONCLUSION: the values of maximal respiratory pressures obtained by this study in a sample of Brazilian children aged 7 to 10 years did not differ from those proposed by Domènech-Clar et al. However the reference values provided by Szeinberg et al. overestimated the values of maximal respiratory pressures of the children evaluated. The equations proposed by Wilson et al. were successful in predicting the values of maximal respiratory pressures in the population studied.