title: Effects of stretching the scalene muscles on slow vital capacity.
abstract: [Purpose] The purpose of this study was to examine whether stretching of the scalene muscles would improve slow vital capacity (SVC). [Subjects and Methods] The subjects of this study were 20 healthy female students to whom the study's methods and purpose were explained and their agreement for participation was obtained. The SVC was measured using spirometry (Pony FX, COSMED Inc., Italy). The intervention used was stretching of the scalene muscles. Stretching was carried out for 15 min, 10 times at per each portion of scalene muscles: the anterior, middle, and posterior parts. [Results] Expiratory vital capacity (EVC) and tidal volume (Vt) noticeably increased after stretching. However, there were no changes in any of the SVC items in the control group. [Conclusion] This study demonstrated that stretching of the scalene muscles can effectively improve SVC. In particular, we confirmed that stretching of the scalene muscles was effective in increasing EVC and Vt, which are items of SVC.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Graduate School, Daegu University, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Juncheol
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, College of Health and Welfare, Silla University, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Sehee
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hwang
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, College of Health and Welfare, Silla University, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Seungim
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Han
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, College of Health and Welfare, Silla University, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Dongwook
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Han
keywords: Scalene muscle; Slow vital capacity; Stretching