Este estudo teve como objetivo verificar as diferenças das amplitudes tóraco-abdominais nos
três nÃveis (axilar, xifoide e abdominal), nos adolescentes asmáticos e nos saudáveis, e compará-las entre
eles. Além de relacioná-las com a capacidade de exercÃcio fÃsico. Materiais e métodos: Foram avaliados 38
adolescentes, na faixa etária dos 11 aos 15 anos, de ambos os sexos, sendo 19 adolescentes asmáticos, que
compuseram o grupo asmático (GA), e 19 saudáveis, que compuseram o grupo saudável (GS). Foi preenchida
uma ficha de anamnese e realizada a avaliação antropométrica, espirométrica, o teste do degrau de
seis minutos (TD6) e a cirtometria, e calculado o Ãndice de amplitude tóraco-abdominal (IA) Resultados:
Observou-se diferença significativa para IA entre os nÃveis axilar e abdominal e xifoidiano e abdominal em
ambos os grupos. Não houve diferença significativa quanto ao IA entre os grupos. Somente no GA houve correlação
positiva do número total de subidas no TD6 com o IA axilar e xifoide. Conclusão: Para adolescentes com asma intermitente e persistente leve não houve diferença na cirtometria tóraco-abdominal quando
comparados aos saudáveis e houve correlação dos IA axilar e xifoidiano com o desempenho fÃsico no TD6.
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.
