RESEARCH ARTICLE Comparative Lung Function Performance of Stroke Survivors and Age-matched and Sex-matched Controls Victor Emeka Ezeugwu 1 * , Matthew Olaogun 2 , Chidozie Emmanuel Mbada 2 & Rufus Adedoyin 2 1 University of Abuja Teaching Hospital — Physiotherapy, Phase 3 Gwagwalada, Abuja, Federal Capital Territory 900001, Nigeria 2 Obafemi Awolowo University — Medical Rehabilitation, Ile-Ife, Osun Nigeria Abstract Background and Purpose. Reduced endurance and excessive fatigue in stroke survivors (SS) during exercise may be linked to impairment of lung function and breathing mechanics, but little is known about lung function of SS. The purpose of this study is to determine lung function (forced expiratory volume in 1 second [FEV 1 ], forced vital capacity [FVC], FEV 1 /FVC ratio and peak expiratory flow [PEF]) and influence of anthropometrics on lung function in SS compared with healthy controls (CG). Methods. In this case–control, cross-sectional study, we recruited 70 participants (42 males, 28 females), comprising 35 SS and 35 CG (range 34–73 years). Anthropometrics were measured using standard instruments and procedure. Chest excursion was measured at the axilla, xiphoid and lower costal levels. Lung function indices were measured using a micro-computerized spirometer. Ethical approval was obtained from the Ethics and Research Committee of Obafemi Awolowo Univer- sity Teaching Hospital, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. Results/Findings. Compared with the CG, the SS had significantly lower values for FEV 1 (1.99 Æ 0.66 vs. 2.36 Æ 0.45 L, p = 0.004), FVC (2.55 Æ 0.70 vs. 2.90 Æ 0.54 L, p = 0.014), PEF (3.88 Æ 1.38 vs. 5.24 Æ 1.30 L second À1 , p = 0.001) and chest excursion (3.0 Æ 0.71 vs. 3.5 Æ 0.91 cm, p = 0.018). Correlations between chest excursion, FEV 1 , FVC and PEF were not significant (p > 0.05). Discussion. The weakness of respiratory muscles associated with stroke may have contributed to decreases in lung function observed. There was a significant reduction in chest excursion of SS compared with CG. Chest excursion has been used as an indicator of respiratory muscle function because the range of motion of the thorax serves the respiration. Movements of the thorax influence the content of the thorax cavity, leading to alterations in lung volumes. Implications for Physiotherapy Practice. Stroke survivors have lower lung function when compared with CG; this has implications for clinicians in stroke rehabilitation, underscoring the importance for inclusion of interventions to improve lung function. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Received 4 April 2012; Revised 27 October 2012; Accepted 14 December 2012 Keywords lung function; spirometry; stroke survivors *Correspondence to Victor Emeka Ezeugwu, University of Abuja Teaching Hospital — Physiotherapy, Phase 3 Gwagwalada , Abuja, Federal Capital Territory 900001, Nigeria. E-mail: victorezeugwu@gmail.com Published online 29 January 2013 in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com) DOI: 10.1002/pri.1547 212 Physiother. Res. Int. 18 (2013) 212–219 © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.