title: Effect of respiratory muscle training in patients with neuromuscular diseases and in normals.
abstract: In order to evaluate the possible effects of respiratory muscle training in patients with neuromuscular disease, we trained a group of 12 patients and 6 normal subjects for 8 weeks with 4 weeks of strength training and 4 weeks of endurance training of the respiratory muscles. We measured static and dynamic lung volumes and maximal expiratory flows in a whole-body plethysmograph and endurance in an original set-up. The main finding was a significant rise in vital capacity and respiratory muscle endurance in the patient group; therefore, daily specific training of the respiratory muscles can improve strength and endurance in patients with neuromuscular diseases as well as in normal subjects.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008176:Lung Volume Measurements; D008297:Male; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009136:Muscular Dystrophies / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D009468:Neuromuscular Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D010807:Physical Endurance; D011782:Quadriplegia / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D012137:Respiratory System / Q000503:physiopathology*