Abstract
[Purpose] This study investigated the effect of chest wall restriction on cough peak flow and forced vital capacity. [Participants and Methods] Cough peak flow and forced vital capacity of 24 healthy male subjects were measured under the following conditions: no restriction, upper chest wall restriction, lower chest wall restriction, and upper and lower chest wall restriction. [Results] The cough peak flow significantly decreased with decrease of the forced vital capacity by chest wall restrictions, and was significantly decreased under the condition of upper chest wall restriction compared to lower chest wall restriction. [Conclusion] The results suggest that cough peak flow of healthy young males is affected by a decrease in lung volume related to chest wall restriction and is also influenced by the region of chest wall restriction.
