Assessment of Respiratory Muscle Strength in Obese Young Adults

Authors

  • Uma B.V.1, Pramod2, Ragavendra2, K.N. Maruthy3

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.37506/ijop.v8i2.1271

Keywords:

Peak Inspiratory Pressure (PIP), Peak Expiratory Pressure (PEP), Hand grip strength

Abstract

Introduction: Obesity is also called as disease of 21st century. Obesity is defined by WHO as “A Medical
condition in which excess body fat has accumulated to the extent that it may have adverse effects on health
consequences”. The BMI is an attempt to quantify the amount of fatty mass in an individual.
Various complications of obesity on respiratory functions were studied by many researchers. Few studies
are conducted in India on obesity to assess the respiratory muscle strength, obtained controversial findings.
Objectives: To assess the respiratory muscle strength in obese and non obese young adults.
Material and Method: After getting clearance from ethics committee, experiments were performed as per
study protocol in the Department of Physiology, Narayana medical College, Nellore.
Based on BMI values subjects were classified as borderline obese (BMI more than 25) and non obese groups
(34 in each group, age group between 18 to 25 yrs) .
Anthropometric measures were taken along with the total body fat % using Bio-impedance instrument.
PIP & PEP were recorded by using digital manometer device capable of measuring both negative and positive
pressures along withthe mouth piece, which was in house built and calibrated by using mercury manometer.
Results: In our study, PIP & PEP of non obese is 111.7 ± 17.3 mmHg & 61.8 ± 12.5 mmHg respectively.
Similarly PIP & PEP of borderline obese was found to be 121.2 ± 17.3 mmHg & 62.3 ± 12.2 mmHg
respectively. There is an increase in PIP values which is statistically significant in borderline obese group.
Similar findings were observed in other studies.
Conclusion: We conclude that, PIP increased in borderline obese subjects but not in PEP . According to
previous studies, obesity enhances the strength of respiratory muscles. This continuous overburden adapts the
respiratory muscles to generate more pressure during respiration . This we could observe only in inspiratory
group of muscles in borderline obese subjects.

Author Biography

  • Uma B.V.1, Pramod2, Ragavendra2, K.N. Maruthy3

    1Associate Professor, 2MBBS Student, 3Professor, Department Of Physiology, Narayana Medical College, Nellore

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Published

2020-04-29

How to Cite

Assessment of Respiratory Muscle Strength in Obese Young Adults. (2020). International Journal of Physiology, 8(2), 177-179. https://doi.org/10.37506/ijop.v8i2.1271