The supine and semi-Fowler's positions supported better cardiac performance, the right lateral position helped lower blood pressure, and the prone position increased cardiac workload, particularly in men with abdominal obesity.
Stroke volume index and cardiac index were highest in the supine position across participants.
The prone position produced higher heart rate and systolic blood pressure, indicating increased cardiac workload.
The right lateral position was associated with the lowest blood pressure.
Hemodynamic patterns across positions were generally consistent between men with and without abdominal obesity.
Men with abdominal obesity had lower stroke volume index and cardiac index in the right lateral position than normal-weight men.
Men with abdominal obesity had higher contractility and systolic pressure in the prone position than normal-weight men.
The authors conclude that supine and semi-Fowler's positions supported better cardiac performance, and that body positioning may help maintain cardiovascular stability and reduce hemodynamic stress.
This study looked at how the body position a person holds affects the heart's workload. Fifty-two men aged 30-59 took part: 26 had excess belly fat (abdominal obesity) and 26 had normal weight. Each man stayed in five positions for 40 minutes each: sitting up in a Fowler's position, lying on the right side, lying on the left side, lying on the back (supine), and lying on the stomach (prone). A non-invasive device that measures electrical signals across the chest was used to track heart function. Lying on the back gave the highest amount of blood pumped per beat and per minute, which the authors read as efficient heart filling. Lying on the stomach raised heart rate and systolic blood pressure, suggesting more work for the heart. Lying on the right side was linked to the lowest blood pressure. Most of these patterns were similar in both groups. However, men with abdominal obesity pumped less blood in the right-side position and showed higher heart contractility and systolic pressure when lying on their stomachs. This research suggests that body position can meaningfully change how hard the heart works, and that the effect may differ somewhat in people with abdominal obesity. The authors suggest careful positioning might help limit cardiovascular stress in clinical care. The study was small, included only men, and measured short-term responses in a controlled setting, so the findings should not be taken as personal medical guidance.
Ruchada Sri-Amad, Thaniya Klinsophon, Premtip Thaveeratitham. (2026). Hemodynamic adaptations to therapeutic body positioning in adults with and without abdominal obesity: Implications for cardiometabolic health.. Diabetes & metabolic syndrome. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dsx.2026.103499