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. 2024 Feb 1;14(1):67-78.
doi: 10.31661/jbpe.v0i0.2105-1335. eCollection 2024 Feb.

Respiratory Function Assessment through Kinematic Analysis of Chest Wall Movements: Effects of Position and Gender

Bahar Shaghayeghfard  1   2 , Mohammad Taghi Karimi  1   2 , Leila Abbasi  1   2 , Mohsen Razeghi  1   2
Affiliations

Respiratory Function Assessment through Kinematic Analysis of Chest Wall Movements: Effects of Position and Gender

Bahar Shaghayeghfard et al. J Biomed Phys Eng. .

Abstract

Background: The effect of position and gender on chest movements and respiratory volumes is controversial and investigated in only a few studies.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effects of position and gender on the breathing pattern during four different positions in healthy individuals.

Material and methods: In this cross-sectional study, twenty-eight (14 males, 14 females) healthy individuals participated aged 20-45 years. The optoelectronic plethysmography (OEP) method was used for the three-dimensional evaluation of chest wall motions and the compartmental analysis of the breathing pattern in supine, sitting, standing, and active straight leg raised (ASLR) positions. Volume changes in different parts of the chest wall were also measured.

Results: Position affected total and compartmental respiratory volumes in both genders. Respiratory volumes decreased in the supine position compared to sitting and standing. Total and abdominal respiratory volumes also decreased in females when comparing supine positions with the ASLR. A higher pulmonary rib cage contribution was identified in females, and males exhibited higher abdominal rib cage volume compared with females.

Conclusion: The breathing pattern was affected by position and gender, and the respiratory volumes increased in more upright positions, perhaps due to a greater gravitational load. The ASLR decreases the respiratory volume, which is probably due to increased postural demand.

Keywords: Chest Wall; Gender Differences; Lung Volume Measurements; Plethysmography; Position.

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Conflict of interest statement

None

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Marker placements on both sides of the trunk
Figure 2
Figure 2
Polyhedrons placed within compartment volumes comprising six tetrahedrons. Left photograph: Markers placed on a front surface of the body. Right photograph: Thoraco-abdominal surface triangulation
Figure 3
Figure 3
Influence of position and gender on compartmental and total trunk volumes. Data have been shown as mean values. Upper left: Pulmonary rib cage volume; Upper right: Abdominal rib cage volume; Lower left: Volume changes of abdomen; Lower right: Total volume. *P: Significant difference for males; **P: Significant difference for females.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Contribution of RCp (pulmonary rib cage), RCa (abdominal rib cage), and AB (abdomen). *P<0.05 in female subjects vs. male subjects
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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