Respiratory muscle training of pulmonary function for smokers and non-smokers

Abstract

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of respiratory muscle training using feedback on respiration to prevent or mitigate the effects of a variety of respiratory disorders. [Subjects] The subjects of this study were 34 male undergraduates in their 20s (experimental group, 17; control group, 17). [Subjects and Method] The respiratory muscle training was performed for about 60 minutes, three times per week for 6 weeks. Measurements were made of forced vital capacity (FVC), peak expiratory flow (PEF), and forced expiratory volume at one second (FEV1). [Results] Prior to the exercise, the FVC value of the experimental group was lower than that of the control group. The FVC and other values of the the smokers group showed increases after the exercise. The FVE1 value of the non-smokers group showed an increase after the exercise. [Conclusions] The respiratory muscle training was proven to be effective at improving pulmonary function.