A simple method for measuring total respiratory compliance: normal values for males

Abstract

A simple method for measuring the compliance of the total respiratory system utilizing a recording spirometer and lead weights is described. The method was reproducible and compared well with an established body box technique. The compliance of the total respiratory system was determined in 70 normal male subjects between the ages of 4 and 70. The total respiratory compliance was influenced by age and appeared to rise during the first 3 decades and fall in subsequent decades. The compliance was also related to the height, body surface area, total lung capacity, and vital capacity, the best correlation being with vital capacity. The change in compliance with age did not appear to be related to change in body size. When corrected for the total capacity of the lungs, there was a gradual decrease in total compliance with aging. It is suggested that this is due to an increase in resistance of the “chest wall.” compliance and age and size; compliance and lung volumes Submitted on April 1, 1964