Hyperventilation and Physical Performance in Obesity

Istinye University

Status: Enrolling

Conditions: Obesity

Treatments: Other: Assessment

Study type: Observational

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07122804

2025/230

Details and patient eligibility

About

Obesity has become a major public health concern worldwide due to its rapidly increasing prevalence. It is defined as an abnormal or excessive accumulation of body fat that may impair health. Obesity is associated not only with chronic conditions such as cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, osteoarthritis, and certain types of cancer, but also with impaired respiratory function.

Excess body mass can reduce the range of motion of the respiratory muscles, limit the mechanical function of the chest wall and diaphragm, and decrease the efficiency of ventilation. As a result, individuals with obesity often experience exertional shortness of breath, rapid breathing, and inadequate ventilation. These symptoms may be considered part of hyperventilation syndrome, which is characterized by altered respiratory control and influenced by both physiological and psychological factors.

Although some studies have reported the presence of hyperventilation symptoms in individuals with obesity, their impact on physical performance has not been adequately investigated. Hyperventilation can limit the ability to perform daily activities and may lead to fatigue, imbalance, and other problems that directly affect physical performance.

The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between hyperventilation symptoms and physical performance parameters in individuals with obesity. The findings are expected to contribute to a more comprehensive assessment of physical fitness in this population and to support the development of individualized physiotherapy interventions.

Enrollment: 30 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 65 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Being between 18 and 65 years of age
• Having a Body Mass Index of 30 kilograms per square meter or higher (diagnosis of obesity)
• Providing written informed consent by signing the informed volunteer consent form after receiving information about the study
• Having sufficient physical and cognitive ability to individually perform the test procedures
• Being able to read and understand the Turkish language

Exclusion criteria

• Having a diagnosis of acute or chronic cardiovascular, pulmonary, rheumatological, neurological, or orthopedic disease
• Having a history of psychiatric illness (such as major depression, schizophrenia, or bipolar disorder)
• Having undergone major surgical operation within the past six months
• Having a level of physical limitation that prevents independent performance of daily living activities
• Being pregnant or in the breastfeeding period
• Having language, attention, or communication disorders that would prevent the administration of the Nijmegen Questionnaire

Trial design

30 participants in 1 patient group

Group 1

Description:

Individuals aged between 18 and 65 years, with a Body Mass Index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m², who have the ability to understand and respond to the questionnaires and tests used in the study.

Treatment:

Other: Assessment