Profile of thoracic expansion in Congolese school children in Brazzaville: an exploratory study

Jean G. A. Moulongo; Jean M. Moussoki; Régis G. Bopaka; Judicaël Kambourou; Dorel Mouanda Konde; Benoît O. Kabengele; Jean R. Mabiala Babela; Jean M. Kayembe Ntumba; Alphonse Massamba

doi:10.18203/2349-3291.ijcp20260816

Authors

Jean G. A. Moulongo Laboratory of Sports Biosciences, Higher Institute of Physical and Sports Education, Marien Ngouabi University, Brazzaville, Congo
Jean M. Moussoki Laboratory of Sports Biosciences, Higher Institute of Physical and Sports Education, Marien Ngouabi University, Brazzaville, Congo
Régis G. Bopaka Department of Pulmonology, Brazzaville University Hospital/Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Marien Ngouabi University, Brazzaville, Congo
Judicaël Kambourou Paediatric Intensive Care Department, Brazzaville University Hospital/Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Marien Ngouabi University, Brazzaville, Congo
Dorel Mouanda Konde Laboratory of Sports Biosciences, Higher Institute of Physical and Sports Education, Marien Ngouabi University, Brazzaville, Congo
Benoît O. Kabengele Department of Pulmonology, University Clinics of Kinshasa / Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kinshasa, D.R. Congo
Jean R. Mabiala Babela Department of Infant Paediatrics, Brazzaville University Hospital/Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Marien Ngouabi University, Brazzaville, Congo
Jean M. Kayembe Ntumba Paediatric Intensive Care Department, Brazzaville University Hospital/Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Marien Ngouabi University, Brazzaville, Congo
Alphonse Massamba Laboratory of Sports Biosciences, Higher Institute of Physical and Sports Education, Marien Ngouabi University, Brazzaville, Congo

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2349-3291.ijcp20260816

Keywords:

Thoracic expansion, Congo-Brazzaville, School child, Assessment methods, Respiratory muscles, Thorax

Abstract

Background: To determine the values of chest expansion in Congolese children aged 7 to 12 years, and to investigate the link between chest expansion and anthropometric variables (age, height, BMI), hemodynamic variables (heart rate, blood pressure) and maximum oxygen consumption.

Methods: A total of 3745 children (2023 boys and 1722 girls) enrolled in public primary schools in seven districts of Brazzaville were assessed. Anthropometric, hemodynamic and aerobic capacity (VO_2max) data were collected; thoracic circumference who has been measured at the axillary and xiphoid levels, was used to assess thoracic expansion. Significance of differences between experimental variables was analysed using a paired t test, Sokal’s to compare thoracic expansion to the axillary and xiphoid levels, between the two sexes, as well as its variations from 7 to 12 years and during the transition from the 7-10 years age group to the 11-12 years age group. Pearson correlation coefficients were used to test the relationship between a few independent variables and thoracic expansion.

Results: The mean values of thoracic expansion at the axillary and xiphoid levels were 2.23±0.13 cm (2.45±0.15 cm in boys versus 2.00±0.12 cm in girls; p<0.01) and 2.04±0.11 cm (2.25±0.13 cm in boys versus 1.83±0.10 cm in girls; p<0.01). Chest expansion increased with age, regardless of the level of measurement. Significant differences were found between the 7-10 year and 11-12-year age groups for axillary and xiphoidal chest expansion, regardless of sex. Thoracic expansion was positively correlated with age, height, BMI and absolute VO_2max in boys at any measurement level, but only at the axillary level in girls. A negative and close relationship between thoracic expansion determined at the axillary level and heart rate was highlighted.

Conclusions: This work revealed age- and sex-related differences in chest expansion, as well as the influence of a few parameters of interest. However, the data obtained deserve verification and validation by larger studies at the national level before possible popularization.

References

Gupta S, Handa KK, Kasliwal RR, Bajpai P. A case of kartagener’s syndrome: importance of early diagnosis and treatment. Indian J Hum Genet. 2013;19(2):266-9.

Van der Linden S, Valkenberg HA, Cats A. Evaluation of diagnostic criteria for ankylosing spondylits. A proposal for modification of the New York criteria. Arthritis Rheum. 1984;27(4):361-8.

Ballogh Z, Lengyel L, Varga J. Role of chest expansion in pulmonary rehabilitation. Eur Respir J. 2013;42:373.

Kerti M, Ballogh Z, Kelemen K, Varga JT. The relationship between exercise capacity and different functional markers in pulmonary rehabilitation for COPD. COPD. 2018;13:717-24.

Miller MR, Hankinson J, Brusasco V, Casaburi R, Coates A, et al. Standardisation of spirometry. Eur Respir J. 2005;26(2):319-38.

Elliott C, Hill T, Adams T, Crapo R, Nietrzeba R, Gardner R. Exercise performance of subjects with ankylosing spondylitis and limited chest expansion. Bull Eur Physiopathol Respir. 1985;21(4):363-8.

Boot M, Archer J, Ali I. The diagnosis and management of pulmonary actinomycosis. J Infect Public Health. 2023;16(4):490-500.

Pinet C. Mechanical and functional properties of the thorax. Revue des Maladies. 2008;22(2):9-18.

Bastir M, Martinez DG, Recheis W, Barash A, Coquerelle M, Rios L, et al. Differential growth and development of the upper and lower human thorax. PLoS One. 2013;8(9):e751128.

Adachi D, Yamala M, Nishiguchi S, Fukutani N, Hotta T, Tashiro Y, et al. Age-related decline in chest wall mobility: a cross-sectional study among community-dwelling elderly women. J Am Osteopath Assoc. 2005;115(6):384-9.

De Silva ROE, Campos TF, Borja RO, Macêdo TMF, Oliveira JS, de Mendoça KMPP. Reference values and factors related to thoracic mobility in Brazilian children. Rev Paul Pediatr. 2012;30(4):570-75.

Fisher LR, Cawley MI, Holgate ST. Relation between chest expansion, pulmonary function, and exercise tolerance in patients with ankylosing spondylitis. Ann Rheum Dis. 1990;49(11):921-5.

Wandini P, Sungkar E, Akbar MR. Correlation of thorax expansion with heart rate and blood pressure in shool-aged children. Indo JPMR. 2016;5:22-8.

Gouilly P, Reggiori B, Gnos PL, Schuh O, Muller K, Dominguez A. A propos de la mesure de l’expansion thoracique. Kinesither Rev. 2009;88:49-55.

Olsen MF, Lindstrand H, Broberg JL, Westerdahl E. Measuring chest expansion. A study comparing two different instructions. Advances in Physiotherapy. 2011;13:128-32.

Verschakelen JA, Demedts MG. Normal thoracoabdominal motions: influence of sexe, age, posture, and health size. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 1995;151(2):399-405.

Salome CM, King GG, Berend N. Physiology of obesity and effects on lung function. J Appl Physiol. 2010;108(1):206-11.

De Córdoba Lanza F, de Camargo AA, Archija LR, Selman JP, Malaguti C, Dal Corso S. Chest wall mobility is related to respiratory muscle strength and lung volumes in healthy subjects. Respir Care. 2013;58(12):2107-12.

Mehan V, Paungmali A, Sitilerpisan P, Hashim UF, Mazlan MB, Nasulan TN. Respiratory characteristics of individuals with non-specific low back pain: a cross-sectional study. Nurs Health Sci. 2018;20(2):224-30.

Kale SH, Jagad DJ, Deo MV. Determination of reference equation for chest expansion in healthy Indian children. J Evol Med Dent Sci. 2021;10(29):2196-7.

Malegaonkar SS, Khandekar SV, Jaweed SA. Comparative study of height, weight and chest circumference among children of municipal corporation school and private school. Indian Med Gaz. 2011;145:357-63.

Packa-Tchissambou B, Massamba A, Oniangue R, Loukambou GA, Kissambou Mouanou J, Senga P. Effet de la croissance et de l’activité physique sur le développement bioénergétique des jeunes mélanos-africains. Cinésiologie. 2002 ;201:27-46.

Intolo P, Milosavljevic S, Baxter DG, Carman AB, Pal P, Mum J. The effect of age on lumbar range of motion: a systematic review. Man Ther. 2009;14: 596-604.

Mikael G, Levitzky P. Pulmonary physiology, 7th ed. Growth of lung and thorax dimensions during the pubertal growth of sport. Eur Respir J. 1988;1:102-8.

Mohrman DE, Heller LJ. Cardiovascular physiology. New York: Mc Graw-Hill. 2006. Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/obesity-and-overweight. Accessed on 06 January 2026.

Xi FP, Teboul JL. Using heart-lung interaction to assess fluid responsiveness during mechanical ventilation. Clinics. 2000;4:282-9.

Neter JE, Stam BE, Kok FJ, Grobbee DE, Geleijnse JM. Influence of weight reduction on blood pressure: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Hypertension. 2003;42:878-84.

Urbina E, Alpert B, Flynn J, Harsfield GA, Jacobson M, Hayman L, et al. Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring in children and adolescents: Recommendations for standard assessment. A scientific statement from the American Heart Association Atherosclerosis, Hypertension, and Obesity in Youth Committee of the Council on Cardiovascular Disease in the Young and the Council for High Blood Pressure Research. Hypertension. 2008;52(3):433-51.

Padsawiya P, Orachorn B. Relationships between respiratory muscle strength, chest wall expansion, and function capacity in healthy nonsmokers. J Exerc Rehabil. 2020;16(2):189-96.

Malaguti C, Rondelli RR, de Souza LM, Domingues M, Dal CS. Reliability of chest wall mobility and its correlation with pulmonary disease. Respir Care. 2009;54(12):1703-11.

Basso RP, Regueiro EMG, Jamami M, Di Lorenzo VAP, Costa D. Relationship of the measure of the amplitude thoracoabdominal in asthmatics and healthy adolescents with the physical performance. Fisioter Mov. 2011;24(1):107-14.

Bockenhauer SE, Chen H, Julliard KN, Weedon J. Measuring thoracic excursion: reliability of the cloth tape measure technique. J Am Osteopath Assoc. 2007;107(5):191-6.

Moll JM, Wright V. An objective clinical study of chest expansion. Ann Rheum Dis. 1972;31:1-8.