EFFECT OF GROWTH AND AGING ON STATIC MECHANICAL LUNG PROPERTIES

  • 1 January 1977
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 13  (6) , 777-788
Abstract
Quasi-static expiratory pressure-volume curves were obtained in 119 healthy human subjects 7-64 yr old. Lung recoil pressures were measured at 6 fixed percentages of TLC [total lung capacity] between 100% and 50%. In children and adolescents lung recoil pressures increased with growth till about the age of 15, and there were no differences between sexes. In adults less than 40 yr old there was no sex difference in lung recoil pressures; in subjects more than 40 yr old females had lower recoil pressures than males at every level of TLC. In males and females aging is associated with a marked decrease of lung recoil pressures. Smoking had no detectable effect on lung recoil in males. During growth the evolution of static compliance was closely related to height; in adults this relationship was less evident, particularly in males. There were no sex differences in ecific compliance, which tended to increase slightly with aging.

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