Does posture affect any of the lung function measurements? If so, which ones, and why?

Answer 1

Any change in posture will affect the ability of the rib cage to expand (which is responsible for the amount of air that can be inhaled), or its ability to contract (which affects the amount of air that can be breathed out).

This is well known to classical singers, who can project better when standing up than they can when sitting, because sitting squashes the intestines up against the diaphragm, limiting the expansion of the 'pleural cavity' (where the lungs are).

At the opposite postural extreme, hanging by the hands (as in crucifixion) causes the rib cage to be pulled open, making it more difficult to exhale. Eventually, the muscles responsible for breathing out will become fatigued, and the pleural cavity will remain inflated. Although the lungs are full of air, it will no longer be exchanged with outside air. The oxygen in it will be used up, causing suffocation.

Less extreme postural habits can affect lung function, too. Slouching will restrict inhalation, and very upright 'military' posture will restrict exhalation.

Yoga teaches a 'full breath' technique that involves large abdominal movements as well as full inflation and deflation of the ribcage, so that the whole 'tidal volume' of the lungs will be available.

Answer 2

Think Ken E fully answered your question.
Both of my children were born with Asthma....and think that when an Asthma attack occurs...that,sitting up-right or forward helps immensely.

Sit in an up-right position.

Administer appropriate medicines.

If you want to open the air-ways as much as possible...these are the instructions to follow.

Press your blue inhaler to your mouth for at least 10 seconds for each puff administered .

Hold Tightly.

Press each puff as many times as will abate the asthma attack.

The obvious, maximum, fulfilment of the lungs capacity, would be the amount fulfilled by the optimum amount accepted to the/by the/patient administered.

In other words...as many puffs as needed by the patient.

If you have administered 7-11 puffs to the patient(my personal accessment)...and the patient is not breathing anymore easily.....then ring 999.

I have 2 Children with Asthmatic Conditions aged 15 and 6.

Asthma Can be a Serious Condition.

If seriously concerned....immediately ring 999/go to your nearest main hospital.

DO NOT WAIT.

ASTHMA CAN BE VERY SERIOUS.

Answer 3

Great answer by Ken E .Extremes of posture, ie especially those which cause, restriction of the rib cage, & those causing compression, and upwards movement of the abdominal contents ( leading to an increase in intrabdominal pressure, and compreesion of lungs will adversely affect vital capacity, inspiratory effort, and expiration, which are the major LFTs I can think of.There are more I am sure.

Answer 4

I don't know what all of the measurements are, but, assuming that volume is one, posture definitely affects lung capacity/volume. To test this, slouch and take a deep breath, then sit up straight and do the same. It's easy to tell that you can take a fuller breath when you sit up straight.

Answer 5

All I know is that when suffering an asthma attack it helps to open the airway to hunch your shoulders up towards your ears. In ER rooms it is a telltale sign that someone is suffering an asthma attack.

I have asthma, and when I was younger, I was in the ER from an attack. They took me right away since I was hunching in my seat. Ever since then I do it on purpose to get some fucin attention. I mean, i can't breathe, I don't care if this asshole over here cut his arm.

Answer 6

yes, sitting up straight increases lung capacity