Comparison of pulmonary function between female students wearing untight and tight student uniforms.

Abstract

Background : Student who wear tight student uniforms can contribute to poor pulmonary function and chest expansion.

Objective : To compare pulmonary function and chest expansion between female students wearing untight student uniforms and female students wearing tight student uniforms.

Design : Comparative study.

Setting : Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Naresuan University.

Materials and Methods : The students were divided into 2 groups: those wearing untight student uniforms (n = 15), and those wearing tight student uniforms (n = 15). Researchers tested the participants’ pulmonary function by spirometer and compared the results of the 2 sample groups.

Results : The results indicated that students wearing tight student uniforms had statistically significant (p <0.05) lower pulmonary function values than students wearing untight student uniforms. Tidal volume of those wearing tight student uniforms were lower than students wearing untight student uniforms (512.66, 726.66 ml, respectively), Slow vital capacity was 35.66 and 41.06, respectively, Forced vital capacity was 42.73 and 51.86, respectively, and chest expansion was 2.67 and 3.48 cm, respectively) (p <0.05).

Conclusion : These results indicate that wearing tight uniforms for long period of time affects the efficiency of pulmonary function of the students and causes low chest expansion.