Objective: To analyze the peak expiratory flow (PEF) in obese subjects in standing (ST), seated (SE), supine (SU), prone (PR), and right and left lateral decubitus (RL and LL) positions. Methods: 36 obese volunteers, aged between 18 and 54 years, and nonsmokers, were evaluated by anthropometric data; spirometry; international physical activity questionnaire (IPAQ); and PEF in ST, SE, SU, PR, RL, and LL positions, randomly. Results: The mean age was 27.3 ± 7.4 years and BMI of 38.7 ± 3.2 kg/m2; IPAQ results: active (50%), irregularly active (25%), very active (16.7%), and sedentary (08.3%); spirometry results: FVC = 100.33%, FEV1 = 92.83%, FEV1/FVC ratio = 0.95, FEF25-75% = 85.55%. The PEF (L/min) were within the normal range and there was no difference between the ST and SE (428.6 ± 100.9 and 430.0 ± 100.1). Comparing ST and SE to the other positions, in absolute and percent of predicted values (L/min and %), there was a decrease in the SU (85.4 ± 14.9), PR (401.1 ± 92.4 and 84.1 ± 14.4), RL (398.6 ± 94.7 and 83.3 ± 14.9) (p < 0.05), and there was no difference to SU (409.4 ± 102.8) and LL (410.3 ± 93.9 and 85.8 ± 14.5). Conclusion: The PEF of healthy obese are similar in the standing and seated positions. The PEF decreases in the lying positions, except for the LL, that could be used as an alternative for measurements.
Keywords: Peak expiratory flow; obesity; pulmonary function.