[Purpose] Some patients with respiratory disease exhibit asymmetrical movement of the
thorax. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship of thoracic
configuration with changes in thoracic volume in 13 sedentary healthy men. [Subjects and
Methods] In upright sitting, 84 reflective markers were placed on the anterior and
posterior aspects of the trunk to record thoracic volume during quiet and volitional deep
breathing. Using a three-dimensional motion analyzer, the difference in volume within the
upper and lower hemithoraces was measured. For calculation of the thoracic volume six
imaginary hexahedra were visualized for the upper and lower thorax using four reflective
markers for each on the anterior and posterior aspects of the thorax. Each hexahedron was
then divided into three imaginary triangular pyramids to calculate positional vectors.
Finally, the volume for both the hexahedra and triangular pyramids was calculated. Four
thoracic volumes were obtained. [Results] The findings showed that the left upper and
right lower hemithorax yielded significantly larger thoracic volumes. [Conclusion] In
conclusion the left upper and right lower hemithoraces were found to expand more than
their corresponding sides. Understanding the characteristics of thoracic excursion during
quiet and volitional deep breathing could be of value in assessment and instruction of
breathing techniques to patients.
Background: Baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) has decreased in patients with hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and congestive heart failure. According to ATRAMI (Autonomic Tone and Reflex After Myocardial Infarction), BRS is helpful for the prediction of the sudden death of persons who have experienced myocardial infarction. Methods: Twenty-four sedentary healthy men with a mean age of 21.0 years, mean body mass of 62.5kg, mean height of 171.1cm, and a body mass index of 21.3kg/m2. Procedure: In a single session, the participants performed a total of 20 alternating knee extensions in sitting with each excursion consisting of a five-second contraction and five-second rest period with a 20% load of one-repetition maximum. Autonomic nerve activity and BRS were measured during LRE using impedance cardiography and hemodynamic parameters for cardiac function. In addition, a continuous R-R series was taken of the heart rate with quantification of spectral powers for regions of high frequency (HF) and low frequency (LF). Also calculated were LF/ HF of the R-R interval variability power ratio and the HF normalized unit (HFnu) as indicators for sympathetic and parasympathetic nerve activity. Results: There was a significant decrease in LF/HF post-LRT (P=0.045) with a significant increase in HFnu and BRS (P=0.01 and P=0.032, respectively). Conclusion: A single bout of LRE proved to enhance BRS function in healthy men.
[Purpose] Measurement of chest expansion is a simple and practical method for assessing patients' respiratory function. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between chest expansion and changes in chest volumes at specific locales of the thorax.[Subjects] The subjects were 12 sedentary healthy men.[Methods] Circular reflective markers were placed at points on the sternal notch, 3rd rib, xiphoid process, 8th rib, 10th rib and umbilicus. Utilizing a 3-dimensional motion analysis system, the differences in the chest volumes due to chest expansion during deep breathing were calculated. [Results] There was a highly positive correlation between chest expansion and changes in the chest volumes at all locales.[Conclusion] Being able to predict ventilatory volume per unit of chest expansion will aid in the pulmonary assessment of patients for physical therapy.
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