Measurement of Resonant Frequencies in the Human Chest

Abstract

Measurements of resonant frequencies in the human chest, and of how resonant frequency varies with the subject's mass, height, chest size and sex, were undertaken as a pilot study on a sample of 15 volunteers. These were obtained by measuring the acceleration response of the chest when a force was applied to the back at a range of frequencies, and noting the peak response frequency. It is foreseen that mechanical stimulation of the chest at the appropriate frequency might form a useful part of physiotherapy treatment offered to patients with particular chest disorders. The results suggest that the chest resonant frequency is sensitive to the subject's mass and chest size, but is less dependent on height. Typical values found were 25 Hz for males and 33 Hz for females.