MGM Journal of Medical Sciences (Jul 2024)
Effect of deep squat intervention in patients with chronic respiratory diseases
Abstract
Background: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of a structured, tailor-made 12-week deep squat intervention on lower extremity muscle strength, cardiorespiratory functional capacity, and health-related quality of life in patients with chronic respiratory dysfunction. Materials and Methods: Thirty patients aged 18–65 years were randomly assigned to a deep squat intervention group (n = 15) or a walking program group (n = 15). Assessments conducted before and after the 12-week intervention included lower extremity muscle strength, pulmonary function, cardiorespiratory endurance, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). These were measured using trunk-leg dynamometry, the chair-stand test, the deep squat test, lung volume measurements, maximum inspiratory and expiratory pressures, the 6-min walk test, and the 12-item Short Form Survey questionnaire. Results: The results revealed that the deep squat intervention group showed greater muscle strength and cardiorespiratory endurance improvements than the walking group. Significant improvements were observed in lower extremity muscle strength (42.9%), chair-stand repetitions (26%), deep squat repetitions (30.2%), maximum inspiratory pressure (67%), maximum expiratory pressure (29%), peak expiratory flow rate (32%), 6-min walk test distance (16%), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (53%), forced vital capacity (36%), and HRQoL (physical component 42% and mental component 25%) with a large effect size ranging from 1.6 to 10.7 (P < 0.001). Conclusion: This study concludes that the deep squat intervention proved to be a safe and effective exercise program for mitigating physical deconditioning in individuals with mild to moderate chronic respiratory dysfunction compared with a walking program. These findings support the inclusion of deep squat training in routine pulmonary rehabilitation programs.
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