Objectives: To determine the effect of Age, Gender and its correlation on pulmonary functions of Forced Vital Capacity and Slow Vital Capacity in Group I (18-24 years) and Group II (25-30 years) with respect to Body Mass Index.  Methodology: Sixty healthy adults between 18-30 years were included in the study. Participants were subdivided into Group I (18 to 24 years) and Group II (25 to 30 years) each group having 15 males and 15 females. The parameters considered were expiratory reserve volume, tidal volume, inspiratory capacity, forced vital capacity and slow vital capacity. Spirometer RMS HELIOS 401 was used. Procedures were explained to each participant; best values from 3 maneuvers were documented and were subjected to analysis.  Results: It is noticed a significant difference in various parameters of pulmonary function. As age increases there was an increase in body mass index and the lung volume also increased. Overall males had higher pulmonary function compared to females, males in Group II (25-30 years) was better compared to males in Group I (18-24 years). With an increase in body mass index, pulmonary function was increased in males compared to females. Age, gender, age, and gender interaction effect with respect to Body Mass Index was seen.  Conclusion: Values obtained can be used as reference standard for estimation of lung volume for age group 18-30 years. In future, Spirometry can be used as a clinical assessment and management tool in the field of speech language pathology, by modifying respiratory patterns to control lung volumes, phonations and the flow of speech.

Keywords : Forced Vital Capacity, Pulmonary function, Spirometry, Slow Vital Capacity, young healthy adults