Effects of increased functional residual capacity on finger-floor distance in healthy young adults

• Published in: Journal of Physical Therapy Science Vol. 31; no. 1; pp. 29 - 32
• Main Authors: Takeuchi, Yoshiki, Kato, Hirotaka, Ishizaka, Masahiro, Kubo, Akira
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Japan The Society of Physical Therapy Science 01.01.2019; Japan Science and Technology Agency
• Subjects: COPD; Finger-floor distance; Functional residual capacity; Original; Finger-floor distance; Functional residual capacity; COPD
• ISSN: 0915-5287; 2187-5626
• DOI: 10.1589/jpts.31.29

[Purpose] To investigate the effect of increased functional residual capacity on the finger-floor distance and to assess spinal curvature in the sagittal plane using the Spinal Mouse in healthy young participants. [Participants and Methods] Thirty-nine healthy volunteers (age=21.2 ± 0.8 years) participated in this study. The finger-floor distance was used to measure trunk flexion and was recorded at the resting expiration level and at 2 different functional residual capacity levels: 1,000 and 2,000 ml air inhaled at the resting expiration level. Spinal curvature morphology was evaluated using the Spinal Mouse in the sagittal plane when flexion was completed under the 2 increased functional residual capacity and resting expiration level conditions during finger-floor distance measurement. Finger-floor distance and spinal curvature were assessed according to functional residual capacity using one-way repeated measures analysis of variance and post-hoc analysis. [Results] Significant effects and differences were found for the finger-floor distance under all conditions. No significant effect was found for spinal curvature. [Conclusion] An increase in functional residual capacity may decrease trunk flexion. This correlation might also be observed in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.