title: Effects of breathing exercises on lung capacity and muscle activities of elderly smokers.
abstract: [Purpose] Elderly smokers have a reduced chest diameter due to weakening of the respiratory muscles, and this results in decreased ventilation, leading to a vicious circle. Therefore, the present study investigated the effects of an intervention program to enhance the pulmonary function and muscle activity of elderly smokers. [Subjects and Methods] Participants were randomly assigned to one of two experimental groups or a control (CG) group. The experimental groups performed exercises three times per week for six weeks, whereas the CG performed no exercises. One of the experimental groups performed a Feedback Breathing Exercise (FBE) for 15 minutes, and the other repeated three sets of Balloon-Blowing Exercises (BBE) with sufficient rest of more than one minute between sets. [Results] In the experimental groups, FVC, FEV1/FVC, PEF and muscle activity of the rectus abdominis significantly improved after four weeks, but no significant differences were observed in FEV1 or VC after six weeks. [Conclusion] The results show that FBE and BBE improved the pulmonary functions of elderly smokers, demonstrating the potential benefits of the development of various training methods using balloons, and group programs, including recreational factors, for increasing respiratory muscles strength.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Cheongam College, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Hyun-Ju
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Jun
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Cheongam College, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Ki-Jong
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Dongshin University, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Ki-Won
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Nam
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Design Hospital, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Chang-Heon
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Kim
keywords: Balloon Blowing Training; Elderly smokers; Feedback Breathing Training