NORMATIVE SCALES FOR STANGE AND GENCHI TESTS TO ASSESS FUNCTIONAL RESPIRATORY RESERVES IN PRIMARY SCHOOLCHILDREN

Abstract

Aim. This paper aims to develop relevant centile normative scales for the Stange and Genchi tests and to assess the adaptive capacity of the respiratory system in primary schoolchildren. Materials and methods. Between 2022 and 2025, a multiyear comprehensive monitoring of functional and physical fitness in primary schoolchildren (n = 500, Moscow, Russia) revealed a lack of reference values for the Stange and Genchi tests. Results. Given that these hypoxic tests, performed under voluntary breath-holding, enable assessment of the external respiratory system and respiratory center and are among the key health indicators, centile scales were developed based on the current data from primary schoolchildren. These scales include normative time intervals and their corresponding qualitative characteristics. During pedagogical testing, the results of the Stange and Genchi tests were analyzed using these normative scales for quantitative and qualitative assessment. The study demonstrated that 41% of children obtained average values on the Stange test, while another 41% produced values in the below-average or low range. On the Genchi test, 41% of participants had average results, whereas 29% scored in the below-average or low category. Conclusion. The use of updated normative scales enabled an objective assessment of the child sample and revealed low adaptive capacity of the respiratory system, which requires modifications to the educational process, including additional measures aimed at improving external respiration, increasing respiratory muscle strength, and enhancing the functional state of the respiratory system.