Influence of Different Sitting Positions on the Maximal Respiratory Pressures in Healthy Individuals of Various Age Groups: An Experimental Study

Abstract

Background: Variation in the position of the body influences the orientation and length of the muscle. The ability of the respiratory muscles to generate force depends upon its length. There is a dearth of literature about the effect of pressures generated by the respiratory muscles due to the different sitting positions. Purpose of the study: Due to the importance of body positioning in the optimization of breathing exercises, a need was felt to compare maximal respiratory pressures of the respiratory muscles in different sitting positions and identify a suitable position in which respiratory muscles work the best. Participants: Total 144 participants were included in the study according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Participants were divided into age groups of 18-40years, 41-60years and 60years and above. Equal representation was given to sample number and gender in each group. Method: MIP and MEP were measured in three different sitting positions i.e. upright sitting position, forward leaning position and semi fowlers position by using the Micro RPM (Micro Medical/Care Fusion, Kent, United Kingdom). The best of the three measurements was taken. Results: There is a significant difference in the values of MIP and MEP in different sitting positions in all the age groups with p-value < 0.05. In each age group it was found that the values of MIP was better in upright sitting position as compared to forward leaning position (p-value <0.01) with no difference found in the values of MIP between the upright sitting position and semi-fowlers position (p-value > 0.05). The values for MEP was found to be increased in forward leaning position as compared to upright sitting position and semi-fowlers position p-value <0.05 Conclusion: The present study concluded that, there is a significant influence of different sitting positions on the maximal respiratory pressures in healthy individuals of various age groups. Implication: The results of this study can be used to make a good clinical decision about which sitting position should be adapted while giving the various types of breathing exercises to the patient. KEY WORDS: Maximal respiratory pressures, MIP, MEP, body positioning, sitting positions, breathing exercises.