Effect of posture on pulmonary ventilation

The effects of posture on pulmonary ventilation were studied in eighteen conscious medical and nursing students. The study was carried out in the standing, sitting, supine, lithotomy, lateral and prone positions using the Vitalograph spirometer. Ventilation was found to be reduced most in the prone position, less in the lithotomy position and least in the lateral position. No significant change was observed in the other positions