A Comparative Study of Thoracic Kyphosis Angles and Respiratory Muscle Strength of Elderly Women

Abstract

The increase in thoracic kyphosis and the decrease in respiratory muscle strength are among the most frequently observed physiological changes in the elderly. The aim of this study was to compare thoracic kyphosis angle and respiratory muscle strength measurements among women who do physical activity with those who do not. METHOD: We evaluated 54 elderly women aged between 60 and 80 years old, and distributed them into two groups: Group 1, with 27 physically active elderly women (71.3 ± 5.1 years old); and Group 2, with 27 elderly women who do not do physical activity (70.2 ± 4.8 years old). Respiratory muscle strength was assessed by maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) and maximal expiratory pressure (MEP), and the angle degree of the thoracic kyphosis was measured using the Flexicurva method. For data analysis, we used Pearson's correlation test and Student's t-test, with a significance level set at p < 0.05. RESULTS: Group 1participants showed higher values of MIP and MEP when compared to those in Group 2. A possible reason for this result could be the effects of regular physical activity and, specifically, the sport practiced. CONCLUSION: Results suggest that regular participation in physical activity contributes to the maintenance of respiratory muscle strength and delays the increase of the thoracic kyphosis angle in physically active elderly women.

Keywords

• elderly
• kyphosis
• respiratory muscles
• physical activity