Abstract
AbstractChronic and persistent mouth or oral breathing (OB) has been associated with postural changes. Although posture changes in OB causes decreased respiratory muscle strength, reduced chest expansion and impaired pulmonary ventilation with consequences in the exercise capacity, few studies have verified all these assumptions. ObjectiveTo evaluate exercise tolerance, respiratory muscle strength and body posture in oral breathing (OB) compared with nasal breathing (NB) children. Material and methodA cross-sectional contemporary cohort study that included OB and NB children aged 8-11 years old. Children with obesity, asthma, chronic respiratory diseases, neurological and orthopedic disorders, and cardiac conditions were excluded. All participants underwent a postural assessment, maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP), maximal expiratory pressure (MEP), the six-minute walk test (6MWT), and otorhinolaryngologic evaluation. ResultsThere were 107 children (45 OB and 62 NB). There was an association between abnormal cervical posture and breathing pattern: 36 (80.0%) OB and 30 (48.4%) NB presented abnormal head posture (OR=4.27 [95% CI: 1.63-11,42], p<0.001). The mean MIP and MEP were lower in OB (p=0.003 and p=0.004). ConclusionOB children had cervical spine postural changes and decreased respiratory muscle strength compared with NB.
Highlights
The mouth breathing syndrome may be characterized by mixed or mouth supplementary breathing replacing an exclusively nasal breathing pattern
There was an association between abnormal cervical posture and breathing pattern: 36 (80.0%) oral breathing (OB) and 30 (48.4%) nasal breathing (NB) presented abnormal head posture (OR=4.27 [95% CI: 1.63-11,42], p
The mean maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) and maximal expiratory pressure (MEP) were lower in OB (p=0.003 and p=0.004)
Summary
The mouth breathing syndrome may be characterized by mixed or mouth supplementary breathing replacing an exclusively nasal breathing pattern. An altered respiration pattern in the mouth breathing syndrome implies necessary adaptive body postures.[3] Such individuals anteriorize their heads and extend their necks to facilitate air flow through the mouth; more air passes through the pharynx, which reduces airway resistance[4,5]. This adaptation results in muscle unbalance and alters the postural axis, thereby disorganizing the muscle groups. The diaphragm and abdominal muscles are less active and become less synergic[6]
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