Relationship Between Chest Expansion with Endurance and Dyspnea in Community Dwelling Older Adults: A Cross Sectional Study

CONTEXT:Dyspnea is characterized as breathing difficulty.One of the most common and widespread symptoms among older persons is dyspnea. It is observed that reduced chest expansion may increase dyspnea and may decrease the endurance and overall physical performance in older adults. This may lead to disability resulting in dependency in later life. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study is to evaluate the relationship of chest expansion with endurance and dyspnea in older adults. STUDY SETTING AND DESIGN: This study was a correlational study conducted in an urban health center in Southern Karnataka. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 37 elderly persons above the age of 65 participated in this study. Chest expansion was assessed using inch tape method, dyspnoea was assessed using New York Heart Association (NYHA) Functional Classification and endurance was assessed using 2 Minute Walk Test (2MWT). RESULTS: There was observed a negative correlation between chest expansion and dyspnea (r = -.007; p<0.001) and a positive correlation was observed between chest expansion and endurance (r= 0.307; p<0.001), both were statistically significant. CONCLUSION: There was a significant correlation between chest expansion, dyspnea and endurance. Poor chest expansion increases the dyspnea level and decrease the endurance in older adults.