title: Effect of upper extremity proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation combined with elastic resistance bands on respiratory muscle strength: a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Elastic resistance bands (ERB) combined with proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) are often used in resistance muscle training programs, which have potential effects on peripheral muscle strength. However, the effects of the combination of ERB and PNF on respiratory muscle strength warrant further investigation.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The assessment of the effects of PNF combined with ERB on respiratory muscle strength.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty healthy, right-handed females were included. Subjects were randomized to either the resistance training program group (TG, n=10) or the control group (CG, n=10). Maximal expiratory pressure (MEP) and inspiratory pressure (MIP) were measured before and after four weeks of an upper extremity resistance training program. The training protocol consisted of upper extremity PNF combined with ERB, with resistance selected from 1 repetition maximum protocol.
  
  
  RESULTS
  PNF combined with ERB showed significant increases in MIP and MEP (p<0.05). In addition, there were significant differences between the TG and CG regarding ∆MIP (p=0.01) and ∆MEP (p=0.04).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PNF combined with ERB can have a positive impact on respiratory muscle strength. These results may be useful with respect to cardiopulmonary chronic diseases that are associated with reduced respiratory muscle strength.
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal do Amazonas, Biological Science Institute, Physiological Science Department, ManausAM, Brazil.
authors.forename: Guilherme P T
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Areas
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal de São Carlos, Cardiopulmonary Physical Therapy Laboratory, São CarlosSP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Audrey
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Borghi-Silva
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal do Amazonas, Health and Biotechnology Institute, Physical Therapy Department, CoariAM, Brazil.
authors.forename: Arianne N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Lobato
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal do Amazonas, Health and Biotechnology Institute, Physical Therapy Department, CoariAM, Brazil.
authors.forename: Alessandra A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal do Amazonas, Health and Biotechnology Institute, Physical Therapy Department, CoariAM, Brazil.
authors.forename: Renato C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Freire
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal do Amazonas, Health and Biotechnology Institute, Physical Therapy Department, CoariAM, Brazil.
authors.forename: Fernando Z S
authors.initials: FZ
authors.lastname: Areas
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053580:Muscle Strength; D052580:Muscle Stretching Exercises; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities / Q000295:instrumentation; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012132:Respiratory Muscles / Q000502:physiology*; D034941:Upper Extremity; D055815:Young Adult