Effect of Two Types of Respiratory Muscles Exercises on Physical and Pulmonary Function of Patients with Asthma

The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of two exercise programs (respiratory muscles resistance and specific respiratory muscle) on physical and respiratory function in patient with asthma. In this semi-experimental study that was done in 2013-14, 23 asthmatic women who had the history of hospitalization in Vasei Hospital of Sabzevar City, Iran during 2006 to 2013 were selected by random sampling method and were divided randomly to three groups; respiratory muscles resistance exercise (weight training movement including lift, fly, bench press, lat pull down, crunch and rowing), specific respiratory muscle exercise (inhale against the resistance by using a especial device) and control. The trainings were performed for 8 weeks. All samples were examined for spirometry, strength, muscular resistance, and the maximum respiratory muscle strength before and after the exercise program. Statistical analysis was done in SPSS 18 software by ANOVA and Scheffe post hoc tests. Respiratory indexes FEV1 (p=0.038) and FVC (p=0.016) and also general strength (p=0.0001) and the respiratory muscles strength (p=0.001), were significantly increased in respiratory muscles resistance exercise group. Performing respiratory muscles resistance exercises can improve pulmonary function and strength and endurance of patients with asthma but it does not seem that using the training respiratory muscle device have any impress on improving this index.