Role of abdominal obesity and body position in kinematics of the chest wall

Abstract

ObjectiveTo investigate the impacts of abdominal obesity and body position on kinematics of the chest wall. MethodsA cross-sectional design was conducted. Twenty abdominal obesity and twenty control males were performed four body positions for 5 min each: (1) sitting without back support, (2) sitting with back support, (3) Fowler's position, and (4) supine. Kinematics of chest wall including thoracoabdominal asynchrony, diameter changes, and ventilatory function were evaluated using optoelectronic plethysmography. ResultsThoracoabdominal asynchrony in obesity group has higher than control group among body position (p < 0.01). Obesity group significantly decreased diameter changes across body positions compared to control group (p < 0.01). Sitting without and with back support showed the lowest for thoracoabdominal asynchrony but the greatest chest wall diameter changes and ventilatory function than Fowler's and supine positions (p < 0.01). ConclusionsThe current finding supports the significant effect of abdominal obesity and different body positions on kinematics of chest wall. Both sitting without and with support positions are recommended for synchronizing thoracoabdominal motion, maximizing chest wall diameter changes, and ventilatory function – this would therefore likely reduce the risk of respiratory disease and complications compared with lying positions.