AIMS: The aims were verify the differences of amplitude thoracoabdominal by cirtometry, at the levels axillary, xiphoid and abdominal in asthmatics and healthy adolescents and to compare the difference between them. In addition correlate them with the physical exercise capacity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty eight adolescents were assessed, aged from 11 to 15 years, of both sex. Nineteen were asthmatic adolescent, which composed the asthmatic group (AG), and nineteen were health adolescents, which composed the healthy group (HG). A clinical history was provided and all subjects were submitted an anthropometric and spirometric evaluation, the six minute step test (6MST), the cirtometry, and was calculated the amplitude thoracoabdominal index (TAI). RESULTS: Significant difference (p < 0.05) was observed to TAI, between axillary and abdominal levels, and xiphoid and abdominal levels in both group. No significant difference in regard to TAI between groups. Only in the AG there was positive correlation of the total number of ascent in the 6MST with the axillary and xiphoid TAI (r = 0,57 e r = 0,50; p < 0,05). CONCLUSION: There were no difference in the thoracic and abdominal cirtometry in adolescents with intermittent and persistent mild asthma when compared with the healthy adolescents and there were correlation axillary and xiphoid TAI with the physical performance in the 6MST.
Asthma; Exercise; Adolescent
