Pulmonary function, body posture and balance in young adults with asthma: a cross-sectional study

Alaparthi, Gopala Krishna ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7596-3459, Moustafa, Ibrahim Moustafa, Lopes, Agnaldo José ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8598-4878 and Ferreira, Arthur de Sá ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7014-2002 (2025) Pulmonary function, body posture and balance in young adults with asthma: a cross-sectional study. PLoS ONE, 20 (3). e0316663. ISSN 1932-6203

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Abstract

Asthma may lead to musculoskeletal dysfunction, including postural abnormalities. This study aimed to compare pulmonary function, body posture, and dynamic balance in young adults with childhood-onset asthma and healthy peers. This cross-sectional study included 124 participants evenly split between asthma and healthy groups. Assessments covered pulmonary function, respiratory muscle strength, postural balance, and body posture. We observed differences between groups in pulmonary function variables and respiratory muscle strength (Forced Expiratory Volume in the First Second (FEV 1); p = 0.005, forced vital capacity (FVC);.p = 0.002, peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR); p = 0.03) and respiratory muscle strength (maximal. expiratory pressure (MEP); p = 0.05). There was no difference in postural balance and body posture between groups. Moderate correlations were noted between postural balance (double leg eye closed) and pulmonary function (r = 0.38-0.43; p < 0.001), but not between body posture and pulmonary function. These findings suggest childhood-onset asthma in young adults, particularly mild to moderate cases, is associated with impaired pulmonary function and respiratory muscle strength but does not significantly impact postural balance or body posture compared to healthy peers. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05373511