EFFECTS OF ABDOMINAL EXERCISE ON RESPIRATORY MUSCLES AND PULMONARY FUNCTION IN HEALTHY MALES

Abstract

Background: Abdominal muscle is the major expiratory muscle and play an important role in ventilation. The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of abdominal muscle training on pulmonary function. Subjects were randomly assigned to low (n=7), moderate (n=7), and high intensity (n=7) groups and performed sit-up exercises at for 6 weeks. The intensity was set at 40% (low), and 80% (high) of the numbers of sit-ups they performed during 1-min sit-up test. Baseline and post-training measurements included pulmonary function, maximal inspiratory (PImax) and expiratory pressure (PEmax), and 1-minute sit-up test. Results: No differences were found in post-training pulmonary function among the 3 groups. However, significant increase in maximal voluntary ventilation after training was found in low (26. 5 vs 31.4 L, p<0.05), moderate (29.9vs 45.0 L, p<0.05), and high intensity group (27.2 vs 42.2 L, p<0.05). Subjects in the LOW group demonstrated a significantly increase in PEmax (88.0 (66.0-96.0) vs. 104.0 (91.0-123.0) cmH2O, p<0.05) Conclusions: The abdominal muscle training may enhance the ability of maximal ventilation through increasing expiratory muscle strength.