Comparison of the modified shuttle walk test in children with cystic fibrosis and healthy controls.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate and compare performance in the modified shuttle walk test (MSWT) with cardiorespiratory parameters and respiratory muscle strength in children with cystic fibrosis (CF) and healthy controls. METHODS: A cross-sectional study with children divided into the CF group (CFG) and healthy control group (HCG). Two MSWTs were performed and the data from the test with the longest distance walked and its cardiorespiratory parameters (blood pressure, respiratory rate, heart rate (HR), oxygen saturation, and dyspnea sensation) were considered, the last three every 4 levels. Respiratory muscle strength was evaluated using a manometer. The Wilcoxon test was used to compare the parameters before and after the MSWT, and the Mann-Whitney and independent t-tests were applied to compare the data between the groups. The distance walked and its association with the variation in cardiorespiratory parameters and respiratory muscle strength were analyzed by Spearman's correlation. RESULTS: Sixty-two children (31 in each group) participated, with an average age of 10.2 (2.1) years. Children with CF had poorer performance in the average distance walked (CFG 716.7 (274.3)) when compared to the HCG (948.0 (202.8)). Both groups exhibited an increase in all the cardiorespiratory parameters at the end of the test, but the CFG displayed less variation in some parameters. Children with CF presented a positive correlation between distance walked and respiratory muscle strength, HR variation, and systolic blood pressure. CONCLUSIONS: There was no difference in respiratory muscle strength between the groups. In the CFG, the greater the respiratory muscle strength, the better the performance in the MSWT. The CFG exhibited less variation in cardiorespiratory parameters than the HCG.

Impulse Oscillometry System and Anthropometric Variables of Preschoolers, Children and Adolescents Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: To identify the anthropometric variables in equations/reference values of impulse oscillometry system (IOS) parameters in preschoolers, children and adolescents. METHOD: Systematic search on the databases MEDLINE/Ovid, SCOPUS and SciELO using the key words "preschool, child and adolescent", "impulse oscillometry", "reference values" and its variations. RESULTS: This review considered a total of 13 articles. The studies presented height, weight, sex and age as the variables correlated to oscillometric parameters. Most studies do not present the correlation values of analyzed variables, and only a few presented the results considering gender differences. The coefficients of determination of the equations were low, specially for the samples including preschoolers. Height was identified as the most influent predictive variable to IOS parameters in the studied age group. CONCLUSION: Anthropometric variables, especially height, plays an important role determining reference values/equations for oscillometric parameters, however, the data acquisition method should be standardized.