Static standing posture and pulmonary function in moderate-persistent asthmatics following aerobic and diaphragmatic breathing training

Objectives: The present study evaluated and compared the effects of aerobic and diaphragmatic breathing training on static standing posture and its relation to effort-dependant pulmonary function in moderate-persistent asthmatics. Methodology: Sixty-six inactive, moderate-persistent asthmatics were matched and randomly assigned to an eight-week, three times weekly aerobic training (At), diaphragmatic breathing training (Db) or as part of a non-exercise control (No) group. At walked and jogged at 60%HRmax . Db performed diaphragmatic breathing combined with inspiratory resistive breathing at varying inspiration, expiration ratios while control group received no structured exercise. Results: Following At and Db, significant improvement were found in FVC (At:p=0.001;Db:p=0.000), FEV1 (At:p=0.000;Db:p=0.000), PEF (At:p=0.012; Db: p=0.000) and IVC (At:p=0.006;Db:p=0.000). Only At improved MVV (p=0.000). At and Db did not significantly change the position of their knee (At:p=0.296;Db:p=0.247), hip (At:p=0.236;Db:p=0.383), shoulder (At:p=0.289;Db:p=0.509) and anterior auditory meatus (At:p=0.207;Db:p=0.198). Conclusion: Both At and Db improved pulmonary function in asthmatics despite no changes in posture suggesting that both modes may be a useful adjuvant therapy in moderate-persistent asthmatics for optimized asthma management.