Comparison of voluntary cough function in community - dwelling elderly and its association with physical fitness

To compare the association of cough peak flow (CPF) with aging in community-dwelling older adults and to investigate the relationship between physical fitness and CPF in these individuals.

Two hundred twenty two community-dwelling older adults were enrolled. CPF was assessed as a cough function parameter. Forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1.0) were assessed as respiratory function. Maximal expiratory pressure (MEP) and inspiratory pressure (MIP) were assessed as respiratory muscle strength. The 3-minute walk test (3MWT) performance was assessed as a physical fitness. Participants were divided into the following age groups: 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79 and 80-89 years. One way analysis of variance were computed for comparison between age group, sex and CPF. Multivariate regression analyses were used to investigate the association of CPF with 3MWT.

The value of CPF significantly decreased in the 75-79 and 80-89 years group than 60-64 years group in men and in the 80-89 years group than 65-69 years group in women. The value of CPF were 545.5, 497.2, 403.3, 354.8 and 325.4 L/min in the 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79 and 80-89-year group in men and 263.4, 278.8, 264.5, 214.0, and 193.6 L/min in the corresponding age groups in women, respectively. 3MWT (p = 0.041) was significantly associated with CPF.

Cough function tends to decrease with aging in community-dwelling elderly. Physical fitness is associated with cough function.