Correlation of Vital Lung Capacity with Body Weight, Longitudinal and Circumference Dimensions

ABSTRACT

Vital lung capacity is an indicator of body constitution type and functional ability of individuals. Since the vital capacity is affected by a number of factors, the limiting values of the volume and capacity are rather broad. The objective of the study was to determine the changes in vital capacity in relation to the age and its correlation with the educational status and anthropological traits. Material and method: A cross-section anthropological study of adult population of Backa and Banat region was carried out in the period of 2001–2006. In total, 4504 individuals took part in the study, including 1965 males and 2539 females. The mean age of male and female subjects was 40.10±11.84 and 41.12±10.75 years, respectively. The correlation of vital capacity with the age, educational level and morphological traits of the subjects was obtained by regression analysis and Pearson correlation coefficient (r) at the level of significance p<0.01 and p>0.05. Results: The average vital capacity in males is 3269±733.65ml and in females 2000±528.64ml. From the age of 20 to 39, the vital capacity of both sexes remains at the same level, while later it decreases considerably. The vital capacity correlates with longitudinal dimensions, particularly with the height, while the correlation with the weight is considerably lower. A negative correlation is obtained in relation to all circumference dimensions of females and the waist circumference of males. Conclusion: The vital capacity is affected by the sex, age, height and level of education. Education reflects the socioeconomic status, which in turn affects the life quality. Good living conditions can provide development of higher values of morphophysiological traits. These traits tend to change with aging.

Keywords:

• vital lung capacity
• body weight
• longitudinal dimensions
• circular dimensions
• age
• education