• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.47-53
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• 2019

Background: Despite growing concern over occupational exposure to particulate matter (PM) such as grain dust and diesel exhaust, information about the exposure level and health implications among workers in small-scale milling enterprises in developing countries like Nigeria has not been adequately documented. The purpose of this study was to assess the level of exposure to grain dust and diesel exhaust and effect on lung function among grain millers in food markets in Ibadan metropolis, Nigeria. Methods: The study adopted descriptive cross-sectional design with a comparative approach. Sixteen grain milling shops each were randomly selected from two major food markets in Ibadan metropolis for indoor $PM_{10}$ and $PM_{2.5}$ monitoring. Seventy-two respondents each were proportionately selected from grain millers and shop owners for forced expiratory volume in one second and peak expiratory flow rate tests. Results: The $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations for both market locations ranged between 1,269.3 and $651.7{\mu}g/m^3$, while $PM_{10}$ concentrations were between 1,048.2 and $818.1{\mu}g/m^3$. The recorded concentrations exceeded the World Health Organization guideline limit of $50{\mu}g/m^3$ and $25{\mu}g/m^3$ for $PM_{2.5}$ and $PM_{10}$, respectively. As compared with control group (2.1 L), significantly lower forced expiratory volume in one second value (1.61 L) was observed among the exposed group (p < 0.05). Likewise, significantly lower peak expiratory flow rate value (186.7 L/min) was recorded among the exposed group than the control group (269.51 L/min) (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Exposure to grain dust and diesel exhaust accentuated respiratory disorders with declines in lung functions amongst grain millers. Improved milling practices and engaging cleaner milling facilities should be adopted to minimize exposure and related hazards.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.209-216
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• 1992

A new experimental technique is proposed to localize the flow limiting segment(FLS) during forced expiration. The present technique is based on the pressure drip across FLS and a consequent change in airway resistance, which can provide an accurate and objective location of FLS. During forced expiratory maneuver artificially induced by a strong negative pressure (-100mmHg) applied at the trachea in an anesthetized open chest dog, airway resistance( R) was calculated from air flow and airway pres- sure signals at various airway locations and lung volumes, At the lung volumes above 10 % VC, FLS located in the trachea 6cm lower from the larynx. With the lung volume decreased below 8% VC, FLS jumped upstream to End-3rd generation of the airway. These results were similar with the previous reports from excised dog lungs, which demonstrated the validity of the present technique. Since the present technique provides a more objective measure of FLS location, it would be useful in future studies of expiratory flow limitation.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.398-405
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• 2021

Objective: The interest of clinicians is increasing due to the newly established medical insurance for pulmonary rehabilitation. Improvement of respiratory muscle strength and pulmonary function is an important factor in pulmonary rehabilitation, and this study aims to investigate the correlation between changes in respiratory muscle contraction thickness that can affect respiratory muscle strength and pulmonary function. Design: Cross-sectional observational study. Methods: Thirty-one subjects (male=13, female=18) participated in this study. The respiratory muscle strength was measured by dividing it into inspiratory/forced expiratory muscles, and the pulmonary function was measured by forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), and FEV1/FVC. To evaluate the respiratory muscle length increase, in resting and concentric contraction thickness of diaphragm, external/internal oblique, transverse abdominis, and rectus abdominis were measured by using ultrasonography. Results: Inspiratory muscle strength showed a significant correlation with the length increase of the inspiratory muscle (r=0.368~0.521, p<0.05), and forced expiratory muscle strength showed a significant correlation with length increase of forced expiratory muscle (r=0.356~0.455, p<0.05). However, pulmonary function was not correlated with the length increase of the respiratory muscle. Conclusions: In this study, a correlation between respiratory muscle strength and respiratory muscle length increase was confirmed, but no correlation with the pulmonary function was found. It is considered that the respiratory muscle strength can be improved by increasing the respiratory muscle thickness through appropriate respiratory muscle training.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.311-315
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• 2013

Purpose: Forward head posture is a typical symptom in people who use computers for long periods of time. Respiration is a complex function involving co-operation of muscular, skeletal, and nervous systems. Abnormal posture can have a negative effect on respiratory function. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between forward head posture and respiratory function in young adults. Methods: Forty-six healthy subjects participated in this study. Craniovertebral angle was measured for assessment of the forward head posture. The respiratory function of all subjects was evaluated by measuring forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume at one second (FEV1), forced expiratory volume at one second/forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC) ratio, and peak expiratory flow (PEF). The baseline of forward head posture was less than 49 degrees. Results: : Significant differences for predicted FVC and FEV1 were observed between the two groups, however, no statistically significant differences in FEV1/FVC ratio and PEF were observed between the two groups. Conclusion: Results of this study demonstrate that forward head posture has a negative effect on respiratory function in young adults.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.1146-1151
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• 2017

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of respiratory exercise on cardiopulmonary function and muscle activity of rectus abdominis in smokers and non-smokers with elderly people. All the participants were older than 65 years, and twenty non-smokers, and twenty smokers participated. Non-smokers and smokers were randomly divined into 10 feedback breathing exercises (FBE) and a balloon-blowing exercise (BBE) group. The FBE and the BBE were performed three times a week for four weeks. Forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume at one second (FEV1), forced expiratory volume at one second/forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC), peak expiratory flow (PEF), and vital capacity (VC) were measured as pulmonary function. EMG was used to measure the activity of the rectus abdominis. In the FBE and BBE groups, $FEV_1$ was significantly lower in non-smokers compared to smokers at two and four weeks (p<.05), $FEV_1/FVC$, PEF and VC were significantly lower in non-smokers compared to smokers to pre-test, two weeks, four weeks and six weeks (p<.05). Muscle activity of rectus abdominis was significantly difference in the BBE group at pre-test, two weeks, four weeks, and six weeks (p<.05). These results suggest that respiratory exercise was effective in improving pulmonary function and rectus muscle activity.

• Archives of Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapy
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.17-24
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• 2018

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between forward head posture and pulmonary function in young women. Methods: Thirty-three young women participated in this study. The participants were grouped into non-forward head posture, mild forward head posture, and moderate-severe forward head posture groups. The craniovertebral angle (CVA) and pulmonary function were measured using ImageJ and a spirometer, respectively. Results: Statistically significant differences in the participants' forced expiratory volume for one second (FEV1) and predicted forced expiratory volume for one second (predicted FEV1) were found among the three groups. No statistically significant differences in the participants' forced vital capacity (FVC), predicted forced vital capacity (predicted FVC), FEV1/FVC, and peak expiratory flow (PEF) were found among the three groups. Furthermore, a significant positive correlation was found between CVA and FVC and among the predicted FVC, FEV1, and predicted FEV1. Conclusions: The results of this study demonstrate that severe forward head posture has a negative effect on pulmonary function in young women.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.157-164
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• 2012

Purpose : The Purpose of this study was on determine whether thoracic expension exercise might increase the pulmonary function of the patients with stroke. Methods : Fourty paients with stroke were randomly assigned to experimental(n=20) and control group(n=20). During four weeks, each group participated thirty minutes for five times per week. Subjects were assessed using pre-value and post-value measurement pulmonary function(Forced vital capacity, Forced expiratory volume at one second, FEV1/FVC, Peak expiratory flow, Tidal volume, vital capacity, Inspiratory capacity, Expiratory reserve volume, Inspiratory reserve volume). Results : These finding suggest that experimental group was significant increase in FVC, FEV1, PEF, TV, IC, IRV, ERV($p$<.05). In comparison of two group, experimental group was high pulmonary function than control group. Conclusion : This study showed experimental group can be used to improve pulmonary function than control group. Thus it indicates that the thoracic expension exercise will be more improved through the continued respiratory exercise program.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.55-64
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• 2021

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to apply dynamic neuromuscular stabilization (DNS) to subjects with forward head posture (FHP) and to compare its effects on respiratory function as against the conventional neck stabilization exercise and neck stretching and extensor strengthening exercises. METHODS: The whole-body posture measurement system was used to measure the degree of FHP, and a spirometer and a respiratory gas analyzer were used to measure the respiratory function. After the intervention was completed, the changes over time were analyzed in the DNS group, the neck stabilization exercise group, and the neck stretching and extensor strengthening exercise group. The inter-group difference in the changes was also analyzed. A repeated ANOVA was performed to compare the respiratory function according to the period between the three groups, and the least significant difference (LSD) method was used for the post hoc test. RESULTS: After the 6-week exercise period, respiratory functions, such as forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume for 1 second (FEV1), forced expiratory volume for 1 sec/forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC), maximum oxygen intake (VO₂max), and the volume of expired gas (VE), significantly improved according to the period (p < .05), but no inter-group differences were found. CONCLUSION: DNS is an effective training method, and can be applied along with neck stabilization exercise and neck stretching and extensor strengthening exercises, which are widely used in clinical practice, to people with FHP who cannot directly perform neck exercises to improve their respiratory function.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.17-33
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• 1997

The objective of this study was to identify pulmonary functional variations in relation to postural changes, lapse after changing position, and the use of abdominal band in the cervical cord injured. The subjects of this study were 19 quadriplegic patients who had been admitted to the department of the Rehabilitation Hospital, College of Medicine, Yousei University, from April, 1997 through May 3, 1997. A spiroanalyzer was used to measure pulmonary function in supine, standing, time after changing position, and recording to the position, application method, and tightness of the abdominal band. The data were analyzed by the repeated measure one-way ANOVA, and Wilcoxon signed rank test. The findings were as follows: 1. All phase of the patients' pulmonary function improved significantly in supine posture in contrast to standing (vital capacity by $0.46{\ell}$ and expiratory reserve volume by $0.09{\ell}$). 2. The longer the time lapsed from supine posture to standing, the patient's expiratory reserve volume, maximum ventilation volume, vital capacity, and forced expiratory volume increased. 3. When the patient lay in supine position, the maximum ventilation volume, vital capacity, and the forced vital capacity increased then the center line of the abdominal band was placed along iliac crest; on the other hand, when the patient was standing, placing the bottom line of the abdominal band along iliac crest increased the maximum ventilation volume, vital capacity, and forced expiratory volume. 4. In placing the abdominal band in the patients, leaving space between the top and bottom lines of the band helped increased in maximum ventilation volume, vital capacity, and forced vital capacity for patient in supine as well as in standing. 5. When placing the abdominal band to patients in supine posture, reducing the length of the band by 2.5% along the patient's waist line increased the patients' vital capacity, while reducing the length by 10% to patients in standing increased the maximum ventilation volume. The abdominal band should be placed in such a way that the bottom part of the band should be more tightly fastened while leaving enough room for a hand to be placed in between the body and the band for the top part of the hand. It should also be noted that in a supine position, the bottom line of the band should be placed along the iliac crest, while in standing, the center line should be placed along the iliac crest. The length of the band should also be reduced by 2.5% of the waist line in supine position, and in standing, the length should be reduced by 10%. It should also be noted that the pulmonary function of the patients should be measured at least 10 minutes after one position change.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.13-21
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• 2019

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of abdominal muscle strengthening exercise on abdominal muscle strength and respiratory function in stroke patients. Methods : The subjects were 14 stroke patients (10 males, 4 females) hospitalized at W rehabilitation hospital in Busan City and randomly assigned to 7 exercise groups and 7 control groups. Exercise was performed in combination with an upper and lower extremity pattern of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation. Measurements of abdominal muscle strength and respiratory function were made before intervention and 4 weeks after intervention. Abdominal muscle strength was assessed using a digital manual dynamometer, and respiratory function was assessed by spirometry. The collected data were analyzed with a paired t-test and independent t-test and the significance level was set as α =.05. Results : The results showed that applying abdominal muscle strengthening exercise to stroke patients showed a significant increase in abdominal muscle strength and a significant difference between groups (p<.05). Maximal-effort expiratory spirogram (MES) readings were significantly increased in forced vital capacity (FVC), and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV₁), in the exercise group, and there were a significant differences between the groups in terms of FEV1 (p<.05). Slow vital capacity (SVC) was significantly increased in vital capacity (VC), tidal volume (TV), inspiratory reserve volume (IRV), and expiratory capacity (EC), and there were significant differences between the groups in VC, TV, expiratory reserve volume (ERV), EC, and inspiratory capacity (IC) (p<.05). Conclusion : Abdominal muscle strengthening exercise was effective in the abdominal muscle strength of stroke patients, and it was confirmed to have a positive effect on the enhancement of respiratory function. Therefore, it seems that exercise programs for stroke patients with respiratory weakness should include abdominal muscle strengthening exercises.