EFFECTS OF FORCED EXPIRATORY FLOW MANEUVER ON THE EXPIRATORY PEAK FLOW IN HEALTHY INDIVIDUALS

Abstract

Objectives: To analyse the effects of FEF maneuver on the expiratory peak flow (PEF) of healthy individuals. Method: Prospective, transversal, controlled and randomized study with 40 healthy individuals, both genders, aged 18 – 35 years old, not smokers and not athletes. These individuals were divided between two distinct groups: control and object. From the object group it had been colected peak flow measurements in three different moments: before, straight after and 20 minutes after an PEF protocol. The analysis statistics of the data was carried through T Student test, considering a level of significance of 0,05. Results: 62,5% were female and 37,5% were male. It has been noted that PEF maneuver had no significance on the PEF measurements (p>0,05). It was obtained 487,75 l/min, 485 l/min and 487,5 l/min PEF avarages in examinations before, straight after and 20 minutes after PEF maneuver. On the control group, it was verified that all the individuals were inside the normality zone of PEF predict values (male gender 89,66% and female gender 91,6%). Conclusion: Most part of the individuals were inside the normality zone of PEF predict values. There was not significant variation on the PEF value after the FEF maneuver at short and long term.