Implications of Compression Race Suit on Forced Vital Capacity: Assessment Considerations for Paradoxical Vocal Fold Motion in Competitive Female Swimmers

Purpose The purpose of this investigation was to quantify the extent to which forced vital capacity (FVC) in competitive swimmers may differ from nonswimmers and determine if compression race suits reduced FVC when compared to practice swimsuits. Identification of the differences in FVC between swimmers and nonswimmers as well as pulmonary function differences secondary to swimsuit construction may inform assessment of the competitive swimmer with paradoxical vocal fold motion (PVFM). Method Using a prospective, mixed within- and between-groups, repeated measures design with 10 female competitive swimmers and 13 female nonswimmers, FVC was measured and compared between the two groups. Further FVC assessment was completed with the swimmers to identify FVC differences between a practice suit and a compression racing suit. Results FVC in swimmers was significantly larger than FVC in nonswimmers by over 1 L. The predicted FVC volumes were significantly smaller than the actual FVC volumes for swimmers. No significant differences were identified between the practice swimsuit and the compression race suit or between the predicted and actual FVCs for the nonswimmer group. Conclusions Swimmers have unique pulmonary function and physiology that require consideration during the assessment for PVFM to ascertain the extent to which the pulmonary system may be compromised from PVFM, reduced exercise intensity, or both. Knowledge of differential diagnoses and adequate characterization of pulmonary volumes in swimmers will improve assessment processes.

Reference values for pulmonary volumes by plethysmography in a Brazilian sample of white adults

ABSTRACT Objective: To derive reference values for healthy white Brazilian adults who have never smoked and to compare the obtained values with reference values derived by Crapo and by Neder. Methods: Reference equations by quantile regressions were derived in 122 men and 122 women, non-obese, living in seven cities in Brazil. Age ranged from 21 to 92 years in women and from 25 to 88 years in men. Lung function tests were performed using SensorMedics automated body plethysmographies according ATS/ERS recommendations. Lower and upper limits were derived by specific equations for 5 and 95 percentiles. The results were compared to those suggested by Crapo in 1982, and Neder in 1999. Results: Median values for total lung capacity (TLC) were influenced only by stature in men, and by stature and age in women. Residual volume was influenced by age and stature in both genders. Weight was directly related to inspiratory capacity and inversely with functional residual capacity and expiratory reserve volume in both genders. A comparison of observed TLC data with values predicted by Neder equations showed significant lower values by the present data. Mean values were similar between data from present study and those derived by Crapo. Conclusion: New predicted values for lung volumes were obtained in a sample of white Brazilians. The values differ from those derived by Neder, but are similar to those derived by Crapo.

NEW POSSIBILITIES OF THE STUDY OF RESPIRATORY FUNCTION IN CHILDREN

Тhe article provides an overview of modern methods of assessing the respiratory function in children taking into account their age peculiarities. The emphasis is made on high-precision ultrasonic spirometry, evaluation of static pulmonary volumes and determination of the ventilation inhomogeneity index by means of nitrogen washout with oxygen compared to the traditionally used methods. Authors’ own results of approbation of these test methods are presented and their comparative assessment is provided.

Impact of continuous positive airway pressure on the pulmonary changes promoted by immersion in water

ABSTRACT Objective: To determine whether different levels of CPAP improve the lung volumes and capacities of healthy subjects immersed in water. Methods: This was a randomized clinical trial, conducted between April and June of 2016, involving healthy female volunteers who were using oral contraceptives. Three 20-min immersion protocols were applied: control (no CPAP); CPAP5 (CPAP at 5 cmH2O); and CPAP10 (CPAP at 10 cmH2O). We evaluated HR, SpO2, FVC, FEV1, the FEV1/FVC ratio, peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR), and FEF25-75%) at three time points: pre-immersion; 10 min after immersion; and 10 min after the end of each protocol. Results: We evaluated 13 healthy volunteers. The CPAP10 protocol reversed the restrictive pattern of lung function induced by immersion in water, maintaining pulmonary volumes and capacities for a longer period than did the CPAP5 protocol. Conclusions: When the hemodynamic change causing a persistent lung disorder, only the application of higher positive pressures is effective in maintaining long-term improvements in the pulmonary profile.

Evaluation Criteria for the Respiratory Function of the Divers

The respiratory effort in hyperbaric conditions is of particular nature, leading to an increase of the respiratory flow of the diver and to the change of their pulmonary volumes. There are important criteria in the selection process of the most suitable divers. Some of these criteria are related to the respiratory function. In order to evaluate the divers respiratory function an examination of the pulmonary volumes is performed in regards to their variations measured by spirometry, of the increased oxygen consumption in hyperbaric conditions and of the production of carbon dioxide during the unitary dive at the depth of work using air as a respiratory mixture. The physical and physiological phenomena involved in the hyperbaric respiration have been studied in cooperation with “Ovidius” University of Constanta, Faculty of Medicine. A specific medical method of evaluation of the pulmonary ventilation, spirometry, the measurement of forced expiratory volume in the first second of a forced expiration, Tiffneau index, have been adapted to the under pressure breathing environment. The parameters have been studied as experimental determinations on diver groups, during simulated diving, using air as a respiratory mixture, at 50 [mH2O] in the Hyperbaric Complex of the Diving Centre

Current issues in the respiratory care of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a progressive neuromuscular disease, resulting in respiratory muscle weakness, reduced pulmonary volumes, ineffective cough, secretion retention, and respiratory failure. Measures as vital capacity, maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressures, sniff nasal inspiratory pressure, cough peak flow and pulse oximetry are recommended to monitor the respiratory function. The patients should be followed up by a multidisciplinary team, focused in improving the quality of life and deal with the respiratory symptoms. The respiratory care approach includes airway clearance techniques, mechanically assisted cough and noninvasive mechanical ventilation. Vaccination and respiratory pharmacological support are also recommended. To date, there is no enough evidence supporting the inspiratory muscle training and diaphragmatic pacing.

Do 12-Week Yoga Program Influence Respiratory Function Of Elderly Women?

Aging produces several respiratory limitations and reduces tolerance to physical efforts, sometimes leading to pulmonary diseases in the elderly. The literature draws attention to the possible benefits of Yoga practice among the elderly, presenting evidence for significant improvements in quality of life. It was hypothesized that yoga practice can improve respiratory function in the elderly. The effects of a yoga program on pulmonary volumes and respiratory muscle strength were verified in 36 elderly women divided into a yoga group [YG] (63.1 ± 13.3 years of age) and a control group (61.0 ± 6.9 years of age). Maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressure (MIP and MEP) were assessed by a manovacuometer and tidal volume (VT), vital capacity (VC) and minute ventilation (VE) were measured by a ventilometer. The program comprised 65 min sessions, 3 times/week during 12 weeks. The heart rate and respiratory rate decreased significantly in the YG (76-39 ± 8-03 vs. 74-61±10.26 bpm and 18.61 ± 3.15 vs. 16.72 ± 3.12 resp/min, respectively). In the YG, VT and VE increased significantly (0.55 ± 0.22 vs. 0.64 ± 0.2 ml and 9.19 ± 2.39 vs. 10.05 ± 2.11 ml, respectively), as well as VC (1.48 ± 0.45 vs. 2.03 ± 0.72 ml). Improvements were also found in MIP and MEP in the YG (62.17 ± 14.77 vs. 73.06 ± 20.16 cmH2O and 80.56 ± 23.94 vs. 86.39 ± 20.16 cmH2O, respectively). It was concluded that a 12-week yoga program significantly improves pulmonary function of aged women.