Peculiarities of breath holding tests in school age children

Abstract

Objective of the study was to examine the performance of breath-holding and Ruffier tests, relationship between them and other factors in healthy school age children.Material and methods. The cross-sectional descriptive study with 45 healthy participants in age 7-13 years (22 boys and 23 girls) was performed. The study included assessment of nutrition, physical activity habits, family and socioeconomic data, resting anthropometric and blood pressure measurements, pulse oximetry, tests for the functional status of the cardiorespiratory system and readiness of child organism for physical loading (Ruffier and volitional breath-holding hypoxic tests). Results. The Rufier index in most children was average and amounted to 8.75±0.32 units. Test with breath-holding on inspiration was at the level of 37.0±1.84 sec, on exhalation - 22.2±1.3 sec. In children with low tolerance to exercise during respiratory tests execution there were a decrease in blood saturation and changes in heart rate. The tests are based on different physiological processes in the human body that create physical load tolerance: heart tolerance and cardiorespiratory oxygen supply to tissues.Conclusions. All selected tests could be executed anywhere and in a short period of time. They are easy to perform and do not cause emotional reactions in children and could be used for tolerance for physical loading assessment. The results obtained are complementary and can be recommended for use in the complex when examining the health and tolerance for physical loading in children during different screening types.