Breathing exercises: influence on breathing patterns and thoracoabdominal motion in healthy subjects

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The mechanisms underlying breathing exercises have not been fully elucidated. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the impact of four on breathing exercises (diaphragmatic breathing, inspiratory sighs, sustained maximal inspiration and intercostal exercise) the on breathing pattern and thoracoabdominal motion in healthy subjects. METHOD: Fifteen subjects of both sexes, aged 23±1.5 years old and with normal pulmonary function tests, participated in the study. The subjects were evaluated using the optoelectronic plethysmography system in a supine position with a trunk inclination of 45° during quiet breathing and the breathing exercises. The order of the breathing exercises was randomized. Statistical analysis was performed by the Friedman test and an ANOVA for repeated measures with one factor (breathing exercises), followed by preplanned contrasts and Bonferroni correction. A p<0.005 value was considered significant. RESULTS: All breathing exercises significantly increased the tidal volume of the chest wall (Vcw) and reduced the respiratory rate (RR) in comparison to quiet breathing. The diaphragmatic breathing exercise was responsible for the lowest Vcw, the lowest contribution of the rib cage, and the highest contribution of the abdomen. The sustained maximal inspiration exercise promoted greater reduction in RR compared to the diaphragmatic and intercostal exercises. Inspiratory sighs and intercostal exercises were responsible for the highest values of minute ventilation. Thoracoabdominal asynchrony variables increased significantly during diaphragmatic breathing. CONCLUSIONS: The results showed that the breathing exercises investigated in this study produced modifications in the breathing pattern (e.g., increase in tidal volume and decrease in RR) as well as in thoracoabdominal motion (e.g., increase in abdominal contribution during diaphragmatic breathing), among others.

Effects of Diaphragmatic Breathing With and Without Pursed-Lips Breathing in Subjects With COPD

“…With regard to the asynchrony, the present study showed no differences in phase angle among conditions, but significant increases in the inspiratory phase ratio and expiratory phase ratio were found during diaphragmatic breathing and diaphragmatic breathing plus pursed-lips breathing compared with quiet breathing. This finding corroborated reports of some studies of subjects with COPD that found increases in asynchrony during diaphragmatic breathing, 10,13,29,30 which seem to be related to (1) the sitting position assumed for the evaluation (a higher trunk elevation favors greater asynchrony in subjects with COPD), 29 (2) the voluntary changes in the breathing pattern assumed during the breathing exercises (even for healthy subjects, the spontaneous breathing pattern presents asynchrony), 38 and (3) the greater focus on the use of the diaphragm (according to the instructions for diaphragmatic breathing and diaphragmatic breathing plus pursed-lips breath-ing) performed by subjects with biomechanical impairment of this muscle when considering that they have a respiratory overload while performing any type of exercise. 30,39 Both breathing exercises promoted a decrease in the breathing frequency due to the increase of inspiratory time and expiratory time.…”

Ineffective Airway Clearance in Surgical Patients: Evaluation of Nursing Interventions and Outcomes

“…This technique promotes further displacement of the abdominal muscles. We also taught the sustained maximal inspiration technique, with the aim to increase lung volume and improve gas exchange (Hinkle & Cheever, ; Vieira et al., ). Breathing techniques together with cough enhancement contribute to maintain the airway patency and a satisfactory ventilation‐perfusion ratio.…”

Effects of Diaphragmatic Control on Multiparametric Analysis of the Nasal Inspiratory Pressure Test and Inspiratory Muscle Activity in Healthy Subjects

“…A period of 5 to 10 minutes of training was established so that patients could adapt to the pattern. Success was assessed visually, and the execution of the pattern was considered satisfactory when there was a clear visualization of the increase in abdominal volume during inspiration [14]. After training the diaphragmatic breathing pattern, the individual was asked to quickly inhale moving the abdomen outward in a ballistic manner to familiarize himself with the speed and strength to be performed during the sniff maneuvers.…”