The Efficacy of Expiratory Muscle Training during Inspiratory Load in Healthy Adult Males: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of expiratory muscle training (EMT) on respiratory muscle strength and respiratory distress during inspiratory load. Thirty-one healthy adult males were randomly divided into an EMT group who underwent EMT (n = 15) and a control group who did not undergo EMT (n = 16). The EMT group underwent EMT with a 50% load of maximum expiratory mouth pressure (PEmax) for 15 min, twice a day, every day, for 4 weeks. The parameter of respiratory muscle fatigue was a decrease in maximum inspiratory mouth pressure (PImax) and PEmax during 20 min of inspiratory load; thus, PImax and PEmax during inspiratory load were measured. Respiratory distress during inspiratory load was assessed using the Borg scale. These assessments were performed on the same subjects in each group before and after the 4 week study. In the EMT group, the PEmax values after the study were significantly higher than those before the study (p p p < 0.05). EMT increases expiratory muscle strength, thereby attenuating decreased respiratory muscle strength (PImax and PEmax) and respiratory distress during inspiratory load in healthy subjects.

Keywords

• expiratory muscle training
• respiratory muscle fatigue
• maximum inspiratory mouth pressure
• maximum expiratory mouth pressure