Effects of Respiratory-Muscle Exercise on Spinal Curvature

Abstract

The spinal curvature was significantly different in the Ex group, indicating a decrease in the thoracic (-13.1%, P < .01) and lumbar (-17.7%, P < .05) angles. The Ex group presented with lower thoracic (-8.6%) and lumbar (-20.9%) angles at postexercise than the Cont group (P < .05). With respect to trunk-muscle strength, only trunk-flexion strength significantly increased from pretest to posttest in the Ex group (P < .05). For pulmonary function, forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in 1.0 s were significantly increased after 4 wk in the Ex group (P < .05). The results suggest that respiratory-muscle exercise straightened the spine, leading to good posture control, possibly because of contraction of abdominal muscles.

An 8-week thoracic spine stabilization exercise program improves postural back pain, spine alignment, postural sway, and core endurance in university students:a randomized controlled study

“…There exist very few reports of prospective studies that evaluated the effects of specific exercises on spinal alignment (26)(27)(28)(29)56). In one study, it was found that spinal extension exercises could delay the progression of kyphosis angle (26).…”

“…Kuo et al (27) found that a Pilatesbased exercise program reduced the thoracic curve in healthy older adults, whereas Greendale et al (28) reported that yoga decreased kyphosis in senior women and men with adult-onset hyperkyphosis. Another study showed that respiratory-muscle exercises decreased thoracic curve and straightened the spine, leading to good posture control (29). Park et al (57) investigated the effects of prone trunk extension exercises in their slouched thoracic posture group in comparison to the control group.…”

“…Different exercise approaches, such as spinal extension strengthening exercises, yoga, Pilates-based exercises, and respiratory-muscle exercise have been commonly used for prevention and treatment of kyphotic posture and pain (26)(27)(28)(29). Core stabilization exercises, back extensor strengthening exercises, and balance training have been reported to have positive effects on postural control systems and change the overall postural sway (30)(31)(32)(33).…”

“…Numerous scientific studies have been designed for evaluating risk factors of postural alignment and developing diagnosis and treatment methods (4,(26)(27)(28)(29). Different exercise approaches, such as spinal extension strengthening exercises, yoga, Pilates-based exercises, and respiratory-muscle exercise have been commonly used for prevention and treatment of kyphotic posture and pain (26)(27)(28)(29).…”

Anteroposterior curvatures of the spine in adolescent athletes

“…The spine of the growing athlete is more vulnerable; prolonged excessive strains may contribute to changes in the shape of AP curvatures of the spine, which in turn, result in the development of low back pain [18,25,26,28,29]. Such changes may also result in back, chest or abdominal muscle tension closely related to postural imbalance and might decrease the flexibility of the shoulder girdle [30][31][32].…”