Effect of sitting posture on respiratory function while using a smartphone
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Updated: Mar 19, 2026

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Published on: September 27, 2024
Kyung Woo Kang1, Sang In Jung2, Do Youn Lee2
1Department of Physical Therapy, College of Health and Therapy, Daegu Haany University, Republic of Korea.
Abstract:
[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate respiratory function in different sitting postures while using a smartphone. [Subjects and Methods] Fifty healthy volunteers were recruited. Participants were divided into 2 groups, a control group of participants who spent time as they liked for 1 hour, and a smartphone group of participants who spent time using a smartphone in a sitting position for 1 hour. To investigate changes in respiratory function, we measured forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in 1 second, ratio of forced expiratory volume in 1 second to forced vital capacity, and peak expiratory flow. [Results] There was a statistically significant difference in forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in 1 second between the control group and smartphone group. [Conclusion] The clinical implication of our findings is that the posture assumed while using a smartphone leads to reduced respiratory function.
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