Effect of different body positions on pulmonary function of young healthy adults

Kiran Haq; Suman Shiraz; Maham Nasir; Marrium Batool; Aisha Razzaq; Areej Hassan

Abstract
Objective: To investigate changes in pulmonary function when postural changes are made in sitting position.
Methodology: This cross sectional study enrolled 500 students of Riphah International University using non-probability convenience sampling technique. They performed spirometry in five different positions without nebulization out of which, three were done in sitting positions i.e. upright sitting, lordotic sitting and kyphotic sitting and standing and supine position. Subjects were allowed to take rest for 5 minutes between each successive position. The FEV1, FVC, PEFR and FVC/FEV1 were recorded for each position.
Results: Mean FEV1/FVC were 91±16.0 for standing, 86±15.4 for upright sitting, 84±19.7 for kyphotic sitting, 88±29.7 for lordotic sitting and 80±23.3 for supine positions, respectively. The change in the dynamic lung volumes was highly significant amongst these positions (p<0.28). There was statistical difference in dynamic lung volumes of males and females (p<0.001).
Conclusion: In healthy males and females, changes from the standing to sitting and supine position causes statistically significant changes in all the spirometry values owing to the changes in the respiratory pattern. The spirometry values of males and females were also profoundly different. There was no profoundly different change between different sitting positions.

Key words: PFTs, Spirometry, FEV1, FVC, PEFR, FEV1/FVC, gender differences, Sitting, Standing, Supine.

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