The Relationship Between Thoracic Kyphosis Angle And Respiratory Function Parameters in University Students

Abstract

Aims: Postural disorders are common health problems in the young population. This study aims to examine the relationship between thoracic kyphosis angle and respiratory function parameters in university students. Methods: The research was conducted with 200 students enrolled in the Faculty of Health Sciences at a university between October 2024 and March 2025. The thoracic kyphosis angle was measured using the Flexicurve method, while respiratory functions were assessed via spirometry. Results: The mean thoracic kyphosis angle of the participants was found to be 21.81±5.11°, and hypokyphosis was identified in 40% of them. A significant relationship was found between body mass index (BMI) and thoracic kyphosis angle, with lower kyphosis angles observed in underweight students (p<0.05). However, variables such as gender, presence of chronic diseases, duration of mobile phone use, knowledge about spinal health, and sitting posture were not found to have a significant effect on the kyphosis angle (p>0.05). No statistically significant relationship was observed between thoracic kyphosis angle and respiratory function parameters (p>0.05). Additionally, no difference was found in respiratory functions between students with hypokyphosis and those with normal kyphotic curvature (p>0.05). Conclusions: These findings suggest that variations in thoracic kyphosis angle do not significantly affect respiratory capacity in young and healthy individuals. The study highlights the importance of regular posture assessments, ergonomics education, and exercise programs.

Keywords

• Thoracic kyphosis
• respiratory parameters
• student

Üniversite Öğrencilerinde Torakal Kifoz Açısı İle Solunum Fonksiyon Parametreleri Arasındaki İlişki

Abstract

Amaçlar: Postür bozuklukları genç popülasyonda sık olarak karşılaşılan sağlık sorunlarıdır. Bu çalışmanın amacı, üniversite öğrencilerinde torakal kifoz açısı ile solunum fonksiyon parametreleri arasındaki ilişkiyi incelemektir. Yöntem: Araştırma, Ekim 2024 – Mart 2025 tarihleri arasında bir üniversitenin Sağlık Bilimleri Fakültesi’nde öğrenim gören 200 öğrenci ile gerçekleştirilmiştir. Torakal kifoz açısı Flexicurve yöntemiyle, solunum fonksiyonları ise spirometre ile ölçülmüştür. Bulgular: Katılımcıların ortalama torakal kifoz açısı 21,81±5,11° olarak bulunmuş ve %40’ında hipokifoz tespit edilmiştir. Vücut kitle indeksi (VKİ) ile torakal kifoz açısı arasında anlamlı bir ilişki saptanmış; zayıf öğrencilerin kifoz açısı daha düşük bulunmuştur (p<0,05). Ancak, cinsiyet, kronik hastalık varlığı, telefon kullanım süresi, omurga sağlığı bilgisi ve oturma postürü gibi değişkenlerin kifoz açısı üzerinde etkisi bulunmamıştır (p>0,05). Torakal kifoz açısı ile solunum fonksiyon parametreleri arasında istatistiksel olarak anlamlı bir ilişki gözlenmemiştir (p>0,05). Hipokifoz ve normal kifoz eğriliğine sahip öğrencilerin solunum fonksiyonları arasında da fark saptanmamıştır (p>0,05). Sonuçlar: Bu bulgular, genç ve sağlıklı bireylerde torakal kifoz açısındaki farklılıkların solunum kapasitesini belirgin şekilde etkilemediğini göstermektedir. Çalışma, düzenli postür değerlendirmeleri, ergonomi eğitimi ve egzersiz programlarının önemini vurgulamaktadır. Gelecek çalışmaların daha geniş örneklemlerle ve ek parametrelerle yapılması önerilmektedir.

Keywords

• Torakal kifoz
• solunum parametreleri
• öğrenci

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