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Abstract
Background: Reduced vital capacity (VC) and forced vital capacity (FVC) are associated with lead (Pb) exposure.
Aim: The objective of this study is to analyse the effects of Pb on FVC and the shuttle run performance.
Subjects and methods: Data were available for 184 male and 189 female Polish schoolchildren aged 10–15 years. Regression analysis was performed of shuttle run performance (dependent) on Pb and FVC.
Results: Shuttle run time increased by 1.75 (± 0.77) and 1.97 (± 0.77) seconds for each 10 µg/dL increase in Pb blood among males and females, respectively. Higher shuttle run times indicate poorer performance. Average unadjusted blood Pb level in the sample was 5.27 μg/dL (± 0.19 SE) and 3.82 μg/dL (± 0.10 SE), respectively. Path analysis was used to assess the association of Pb level with shuttle run time. Blood Pb had a significant negative effect on VC (B= −13.60 ± 3.28 [SE], p < 0.0001) and FVC (B = −13.08 ± 3.27, p < 0.0001). FVC had a small but significant effect on shuttle run time (B = −0.04 ± 0.007, p < 0.0001). Pb had a significant effect on the residual of shuttle run time among males (B = 1.59 ± 0.75, p < 0.03) and females after the effect of FVC was removed (B = 1.49 ± 0.73, p < 0.04).
Conclusions: Thus, Pb had direct and indirect effects that increased shuttle run time, i.e. negatively affected performance.
Disclosure statement
The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.