Synchronized Breathing with Pelvic Floor Contractions Expands Maximum Voluntary Ventilation in Young Soccer Players

The intention of this investigation was to decide the most significant exercise intervention in enhancing maximum voluntary ventilation in young male soccer players. Sixty non-smoking young male soccer players with the mean age of 14.18 (0.79) years, were randomly assigned to four groups (Group A, B, C, D) of 20 players in each group. Maximum voluntary ventilation was measured at baseline using digital pony FX micro spirometer. The Group A athletes were instructed to do diaphragmatic breathing exercise with conventional sports training. Group B athletes received pelvic floor muscle exercise with conventional sports training. Group C athletes received synchronized diaphragmatic breathing with pelvic floor contraction with conventional sports training and Group D (Control group) players received conventional sports training alone. The training protocol was designed for 15 minutes duration 5 times per week for 8 weeks, along with their 60 minutes conventional sports training. Mid and post intervention measurements were carried out at the fourth week and the eighth week with identical baseline assessment protocol. The repeated measures of ANOVA revealed that, marked improvement in maximum voluntary ventilation was evident amongst all of intervention groups except control group however post hoc analyses implicated that synchronized diaphragmatic breathing with pelvic floor contraction was beneficial in enhancing maximum voluntary ventilation than the pelvic floor exercise, diaphragmatic breathing exercise and conventional sports training (P<.05). Therefore, synchronized diaphragmatic breathing with pelvic floor contraction training should be considered as a part of sports training to improve maximum voluntary ventilation.