Based on the linked source; automatically prepared and checked against the original report.
Study design
The study examined whether sacrum–backrest distance affects respiratory measures during wheelchair sitting. Nineteen healthy young women were assessed with the sacrum at 0, 5, or 10 centimetres from the backrest. The source is an abstract summary, not a full-paper review.
Measurements
Spirometry measured forced and static vital-capacity measures, lung volumes, forced expiratory volume in one second, its ratio to forced vital capacity, and maximum inspiratory and expiratory pressures. Thoracic expansion was also assessed. Linear mixed models with Holm-adjusted post-hoc comparisons tested sitting-condition effects.
Findings
Sitting condition significantly affected several respiratory measures. At 10 centimetres, forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in one second were each about 6% lower than at 0 centimetres. Inspiratory capacity, the FEV1/FVC ratio, and thoracic expansion showed no significant differences. The authors associate greater forward displacement with reduced respiratory performance and say sacral positioning may be relevant to wheelchair seating assessments; the abstract does not support treatment recommendations.
