Investigation of Respiratory Function and Breathing Pattern in Elderly People with Kyphosis Posture

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to clarify the relationship between kyphosis and breathing in elderly people. Hand grip power, pulmonary function, maximal inspiratory mouth pressure (PImax), maximal expiratory mouth pressure (PEmax), and breathing patterns were compared between the kyphosis group and the normal group. In the kyphosis group, hand grip power, PImax, PEmax, peak flow (PEF) and %PEF were significantly lower than in the normal group. During spontaneous breathing, there was a significantly different breathing pattern between the kyphosis group and the normal group. There was more chest movement in the kyphosis group, and more abdomen movement in the normal group. The kyphosis group had significantly decreased volume of abdominal movement during spontaneous breathing and slow vital capacity maneuvers.