Preliminary Outcome of the Effect of Slow and Deep Breathing Exercise Program on Respiratory Muscle Strength in Healthy Participants Aged 18 – 25: a Randomized Control Trial

Abstract

The aim of this study was to explore the effect of slow and deep breathing on respiratory muscle strength in healthy participants aged 18 - 25. Eleven healthy female participants; averaged age 20.55 (SD=1.51) years old were recruited. They were randomly assigned into experimental group (6 participants) and control group (5 paticipants). The experimental group was instructed to deep breathing by using diaphragm muscle (6 breaths/min) for 30 minutes in each session, 5 sessions per week for 4 weeks; whereas the control group was asked to breathe normally. Data were analyzed by using T-test to examine the effect of slow and deep breathing training on respiratory muscle strength. It was found that the experimental group had a higher maximum inspiratory pressure value compared with measurement prior to the intervention program (29.33± 8.71cmH₂O and 22.17±10.53cmH₂O, respectively). However, there was no significant difference in maximal expiratory pressure value both within each group and between the 2 groups. In conclusion, slow and deep breathing, without loaded add, could be used for the improvement of respiratory muscle strength. However, further study with higher number of samples was recommended to verify the effectiveness of the slow and deep breathing.