Multiple Breathing Training on Pulmonary Function and Respiratory Muscle Strength in Older Adults

Effects of Multiple Breathing Training on Pulmonary Function and Respiratory Muscle Strength in Older Adults

This study were to investigate the effects of multiple breathing training on pulmonary function, respiratory muscle strength, chest expansion, fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), aerobic capacity, and dyspnea symptoms in older adults.

The study included 26 male and female older adults aged 60-75 years, who were divided into a control group (n = 13) that maintained usual daily activities and an experimental group (n = 13) that received multiple breathing training.

The independent variable was multiple breathing training. Dependent variables included lung function (FVC, FEV₁, FEV₁/FVC, MVV), respiratory muscle strength (MIP, MEP), chest expansion, fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), aerobic capacity, and dyspnea assessment.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Older adults aged 60-75 years, both male and female.
• Not regularly physically active (exercising fewer than 2 times per week) during the 6 months prior to the study.
• Cooperative, without communication problems, and able to follow instructions from the trainer.
• No history of cardiovascular disease and no respiratory diseases such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), etc.
• No hypertension, or if diagnosed with hypertension, it must be well controlled, with resting blood pressure not exceeding 140 mmHg systolic and 90 mmHg diastolic.
• Able to ambulate independently without assistance or assistive devices.
• Willing to participate in the study and able to provide written informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Any unforeseen events preventing continued participation in the study, such as injury from an accident or illness.
• Attendance of less than 80% of the training sessions (fewer than 19 out of 24 sessions, including the basic training period).
• Withdrawal of consent or unwillingness to continue participation in the study.