Effects of inspiratory muscle training in elderly women on respiratory muscle strength, diaphragm thickness and mobility.
BACKGROUND
Aging results in a decline in the function of the respiratory muscles. Inspiratory muscle training is emerging as a possible intervention to attenuate the decline of respiratory muscles in the elderly. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of inspiratory muscle training on respiratory strength, diaphragm thickness, and diaphragmatic mobility in elderly women.


METHODS
This was a controlled, randomized, and double-blind clinical trial, performed on 22 elderly women distributed in two groups, training (TG) and control (CG). Over an 8-week period a moderate intensity inspiratory muscle training protocol was followed in the TG, while CG followed a sham protocol. In addition maximum expiratory and inspiratory pressure, mobility of the diaphragm and diaphragmatic thickness were evaluated by ultrasound.


RESULTS
After training, in TG maximal inspiratory pressure, maximal expiratory pressure, diaphragm thickness, and mobility increased by 37%, 13%, 11%, and 9% respectively, and their values were significantly higher than CG (p < .005, p = .013, p = .001, and p = .001).


CONCLUSIONS
Inspiratory muscle training of moderate intensity improves respiratory muscle strength, diaphragm thickness, and diaphragm mobility in elderly women and it should be considered to minimize changes associated with senescence.
Department of Physical Therapy, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil.
Helga
H
Souza
Department of Physical Therapy, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil.
Taciano
T
Rocha
Department of Physical Therapy, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil.
Maíra
M
Pessoa
Department of Physical Therapy, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil.
Catarina
C
Rattes
Department of Physical Therapy, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil.
Daniella
D
Brandão
Department of Physical Therapy, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil.
Guilherme
G
Fregonezi
Department of Physical Therapy, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil.
Shirley
S
Campos
Dipartimento di Elettronica, Informazione e Bioingegneria, Politecnico di Milano, Italy.
Andrea
A
Aliverti
Department of Physical Therapy, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil. armeledornelas@hotmail.com.
Armele
A
Dornelas
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D003964:Diaphragm / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology*; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D011379:Prognosis; D012132:Respiratory Muscles / Q000503:physiopathology*; D055948:Sarcopenia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D014463:Ultrasonography
Aging; Respiratory exercises; Ultrasound and respiratory muscles.