OBJECTIVES: The present study evaluated and compared the effects of aerobic and diaphragmatic breathing training on static standing posture and its relation to effort-dependant pulmonary function in moderate-persistent asthmatics. METHODOLOGY: Sixty-six inactive, moderate-persistent asthmatics were matched and randomly assigned to an eight-week, three times weekly aerobic training (At), diaphragmatic breathing training (Db) or as part of a non-exercise control (No) group. At walked and jogged at 60%HRmax. Db performed diaphragmatic breathing combined with inspiratory resistive breathing at varying inspiration, expiration ratios while control group received no structured exercise. RESULTS: Following At and Db, significant improvement were found in FVC (At p = 0.001; Db p = 0.000), FEV1 (At p = 0.000; Db p = 0.000), PEF (At p = 0.012; Db p = 0.000) and IVC (At p = 0.006; Db p = 0.000). Only At improved MVV (p = 0.000). At and Db did not significantly change the position of their knee (At p = 0.296; Db p = 0.247), hip (At p = 0.236; Db p = 0.383), shoulder (At p = 0.289; Db p = 0.509) and anterior auditory meatus (At p = 0.207; Db p = 0.198). CONCLUSION: Both At and Db improved pulmonary function in asthmatics despite no changes in posture suggesting that both modes may be a useful adjuvant therapy in moderate-persistent asthmatics for optimized asthma management.

Full text (sometimes free) may be available at these link(s):      help

• PDF locator
• publisher