Breathing pattern and thorocoabdominal motion during breathing exercises in healthy subjects

Background: Breathing exercises have been commonly used by physical therapists. However, it has not been fully elucidated the mechanisms underlying these exercises. Aims: To evaluate the impact of breathing exercises (diaphragmatic breathing-DB, inspiratory sighs, sustained maximal inspiration and intercostal exercise) on breathing pattern and thorocoabdominal motion in healthy subjects. Methods: 15 subjects of both sexes, aged 23±1.5 years old and with normal pulmonary function were studied. Subjects were evaluated by optoeletronic pletysmography in supine position with a trunk inclination of 45° during quite breathing(5 min.) and breathing exercises(5 min. each), in a random order. Statistical analysis was performed by Friedman test and one-way ANOVA for repeated measures(p