Effect of inspiratory muscle training on thoracic range of motion
Item
- Title
- Effect of inspiratory muscle training on thoracic range of motion
- Author(s)
- Loader Alexandra
- Abstract
-
Introduction
The thoracic spine is an area of the body that is important for health and vitality. It is the least mobile section of the spine, restricted by its association with the ribcage. Dysfunction of the thorax can reduce venous and lymphatic return, which may produce hypovolemia, reduce cardiac output, and reduce immunity. Such dysfunction should therefore be treated, and restrictions released, to ensure health of an individual.
Current osteopathic treatment protocols for improving the range of motion of the thoracic spine involve a variety of techniques, primarily involving direct mobilisation techniques. Whilst effective, patient's complaint, pathology and morphology may make such methods painful or inappropriate in certain individuals. An understanding of the relationship between the thoracic spine and inspiration may reveal new strategies in the use of exercise prescription for the management of conditions causing a reduced thoracic spine range of motion.
Method
A screening questionnaire was randomly distributed to male students attending the British College of Osteopathic Medicine. Fifteen subjects that satisfied the inclusion criteria were selected to participate in the study. Baseline measurements were taken of all subjects' thoracic spine range of motion. This was obtained using the Back Range of Motion Device. The Experimental group (n=10) used the UltrabreatheTM Respiratory Trainer for four weeks, training twice a day. Each training session consisted of twenty-five breaths. The Control group (n=5) undertook no form of inspiratory exercise during the training period. A blinded practitioner measured thoracic spine range of motion once a week.
Results
ANOVA tests demonstrated that there was a non-significant (P>0.05) increase in the thoracic range of motion in the control group, indicating that the Back Range of Motion device did not exert a training effect.
ANOVA tests demonstrated that there was a significant increase (P<0.05) in all thoracic spine ranges of motion in the experimental group. Extension of the thoracic spine increased the most, improving by an average of 221% after four weeks of specific inspiratory muscle training.
Conclusion
This study has shown that all directions of thoracic spine movement are significantly increased (p<0.05) following a four week training programme of SIMT. This supports the experimental hypothesis that states; SIMT over a training period of four weeks will significantly increase thoracic spine range of motion in all planes of movement in asymptomatic subjects. - presented at
- British College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Date Accepted
- 0
- Date Submitted
- 1.1.1970 00:00:00
- Type
- osteo_thesis
- Language
- English
- Submitted by:
- 62
- Pub-Identifier
- 13594
- Inst-Identifier
- 1076
- Recommended
- 0
- Item sets
- Thesis
Loader Alexandra, “Effect of inspiratory muscle training on thoracic range of motion”, Osteopathic Research Web, accessed April 23, 2025, https://library.wso.at/s/orw/item/1163