The effects of chest expansion resistance exercise on chest expansion and maximal respiratory pressure in elderly with inspiratory muscle weakness

Abstract

[Purpose] The aim of this study was to examine the effect of chest expansion resistance exercises (CERE) on chest expansion, maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP), and maximal expiratory pressure (MEP) in elderly people with inspiratory muscle weakness. [Subjects] Thirty elderly people with inspiratory muscle weakness (MIP < 80% of the predicted value) were randomly and equally assigned to a chest expansion resistance exercise (CERE) group, core conditioning exercise (CCE) group, and control group. [Methods] The intervention was applied to the CERE group and CCE group five times per week, 30 minutes each time, for six weeks. A tapeline was used to measure upper and lower chest expansion. MIP and MEP before and after the intervention were measured and compared. [Results] There was significant improvement in upper and lower chest expansion and MIP after the intervention in both the CERE group and the CCE group, whereas the control group did not show any significant difference. MEP did not significantly change in any of the three groups after the intervention. [Conclusion] The CERE group underwent greater changes than the CCE group, which proves that the CERE is more effective for improving elderly people’s chest expansion capacity and MIP in elderly people. Therefore, application of the CERE by therapists is recommended if the environment and conditions are appropriate for enhancement of chest expansion capacity and MIP in elderly people.

Efficacy of Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization Breathing Exercises on Chest Mobility, Trunk Muscles, and Thoracic Kyphosis: A Randomized Controlled 6-Week Trial

“…Based on the experimental results, a significant enhancement in chest expansion was observed at both levels. This finding is consistent with Bezzoli et al (2016), Mongkol (2016), and Kim et al (2015) study results. In the study of Bezzoli et al, in the first session of the motor control exercises, all patients were trained on how to activate the lumbar-pelvic cylinder muscles individually while having an easy diaphragmatic breathing and neutral lumbar posture in supine, sitting, and standing positions.…”

“…A 200-cm tape measure was used and rib cage circumference at three different levels was measured: 1: The anterior axillary line for Upper Chest Mobility (UCM) (the horizontal line of the spinous process of the fifth thoracic vertebrae and the third intercostal space (axillary line) at the mid-clavicular line); 2: The tip of the xiphoid (the horizontal line of the spinous process of the tenth thoracic vertebrae and tip of the xiphoid process) process for Lower Chest Mobility (LCM) [12]. To standardize all the measurements, the zero point at the tape was first put on the midline of the trunk, horizontally regulated with the markers, and then the other edge of the tape was moved [12]. The difference between maximum inspiration and maximum expiration (each position held his breath for at least 2 seconds) was determined for all three measured circumferences.…”

Effects of inspiratory muscle training on balance ability and abdominal muscle thickness in chronic stroke patients

“…Breathing is movement of air in and out of the lungs in response to volume changes in the thoracic diaphragm, followed by the intercostals, rectus abdominis, TA, and multiple accessory muscles. According to previous research, application of chest expansion resistance exercises by a therapist is recommended if the environment and conditions are appropriate for enhancement of chest expansion capacity and maximal inspiratory pressure in elderly people 19 ) . In the FVC, the TA and intercostals are used to exert pressure on the lower ribs by bending the torso and inducing deep breathing with the lifted diaphragm 20 ) .…”

Efficacy of chest expansion resistance exercise on respiratory function, trunk control and dynamic balance in patients with chronic stroke: A Comparative study.

“…A recent study by Lucyna [7] found that a single application of respiratory stimulation using PNF significantly improved the lung function. Evidence supports effectiveness of CERE to improve stroke patient's walk distance, trunk control, degree of chest expansion, and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) [11,17].…”

“…Another systematic review on patients with stroke has reported effectiveness of respiratory muscle training in improving respiratory muscle strength [16]. The chest expansion resistance exercise (CERE) is an exercise based on a proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) breathing exercise [17]. A recent study by Lucyna [7] found that a single application of respiratory stimulation using PNF significantly improved the lung function.…”