Investigation into Deep Breathing through Measurement of Ventilatory Parameters and Observation of Breathing Patterns

In this protocol, two deep breathing patterns were shown to 15 participants to determine an easy yet effective method of breathing exercise for future ...

Kanazawa University

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of isokinetic passive exercise and motion velocity on passive stiffness. In addition, we also discuss the effects of the contraction of agonist and antagonist muscles on passive stiffness. [Subjects] The subjects were 20 healthy men with no bone or joint disease. [Methods] Isokinetic passive exercise and isometric muscle contraction were performed on an isokinetic dynamometer. The angular acceleration measured by the accelerometer was compared before and after each task. [Results] After the passive exercise, the angular acceleration increased in the phase of small damped oscillation. Moreover, the effect was higher at high-speed movement. The angular acceleration was decreased by the contraction of the agonist muscle. Conversely, the angular acceleration was increased by the contraction of the antagonist muscle. [Conclusion] Isokinetic passive exercise reduced passive stiffness. Our results suggest the possibility that passive stiffness is increased by agonist muscle contraction and decreased by antagonist muscle contraction. 

Effects of isokinetic passive exercise and isometric muscle contraction on passive stiffness.

[Purpose] A decrease in hip extension has been reported to be a factor in short step width and slow walking speed. Hip motion is related to pelvic and spinal motion, and transversus abdominis (TrA) activation is important for stabilising the pelvis and spine. The abdominal drawing-in manoeuvre (ADIM) can be performed to activate the TrA. The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of the ADIM on forward steps as a gait exercise. [Subjects] The subjects were 20 healthy men (mean age, 20.8 ± 2.4 years). [Methods] Thicknesses of the lateral abdominal muscles during forward step posture with and without ADIM were measured using ultrasound, and kinematics of the hip and pelvis were examined using a three-dimensional motion capture system. [Results] Thicknesses of the TrA and internal oblique increased during forward steps with ADIM. In addition, hip extension increased and pelvic rotation and oblique angles decreased during forward step with ADIM. [Conclusion] We believe that ADIM activates the so-called corset muscles, which consequently stabilise the pelvis and spine and increase hip extension. Our results suggest that an ADIM could increase hip extension during gait exercise. 

The Effect of the Abdominal Drawing-in Manoeuvre during Forward Steps.

[Purpose] It has been reported that exercises focusing upon the transversus abdominis (TrA) ameliorate low back pain (LBP). We investigated whether expiratory muscle training (EMT) can promote activity of the TrA to the same degree as the abdominal drawing-in manoeuvre (ADIM) in elderly individuals. [Subjects and Methods] Twenty-one elderly subjects (9 males, 12 females; mean age, 84.9 ± 6.6 years) without LBP symptoms were included. Using ultrasound imaging we measured changes in thickness of the lateral abdominal muscles, TrA, internal oblique muscle (IO), and external oblique muscle (EO) during ADIM and EMT. The load in EMT was set to 15% of maximal expiratory pressure. [Results] TrA showed a significant increase in muscle thickness during ADIM and EMT compared with at rest. A significant increase in muscle thickness was noted for EMT in comparison with ADIM. No significant differences were found for IO and EO. [Conclusion] In elderly people, EMT may be an effective alternative to ADIM for promoting activity of the TrA and can be used as an exercise to maintain TrA function.

Changes in thickness of the transversus abdominis during the abdominal drawing-in manoeuvre and expiratory muscle training in elderly people.

In hemiparetic stroke survivors, premature plantarflexor muscle activity (PPF) often appears as a gait abnormality from terminal swing to the loading response on the paretic side. This study aimed to discern factors giving rise to PPF. Lower extremity function, spasticity magnitude, and gait electromyograms were assessed in 31 hemiparetic stroke survivors. Mean amplitudes during gait phases were determined for the paretic soleus, tibialis anterior, rectus femoris, and biceps femoris. The subjects were classified into PPF and non-PPF groups based on their relative soleus amplitude at different phases of gait, and group differences in each measurement were calculated and subjected to logistic regression. The PPF group showed less activity of the tibialis anterior during the swing phase but greater activity of the rectus femoris during the swing phase and of the biceps femoris, both prematurely and during the loading response. Logistic regression revealed premature activity of the biceps femoris to be a significant variable related to presence of PPF (odds ratio = 1.054). PPF in hemiparetic gait may work with the biceps femoris to supplement compromised lower extremity extension strength. PPF might be reduced by attaining enhanced strength of the hip and knee extensors at the time of initial contact during gait.

Factors affecting premature plantarflexor muscle activity during hemiparetic gait.

[Purpose] Breathing exercises are frequently prescribed to reduce pulmonary complications after abdominal and thoracic surgery. Appropriate instructions ensuring the integrity of the self-exercise are important. This study compared the effects of two instructions, focusing on non-specific breathing (NB) and diaphragmatic breathing (DB) patterns, respectively, on the ventilatory efficiency and work of breathing. [Subjects and Methods] The participants were healthy men (n=15) and women (n=15). Ventilatory parameters, heart rate, and autonomic nervous system activity were measured during natural and deep breathing phases performed under the two instructions (NB and DB), with the deep breathing phase following the natural breathing phase. [Results] For both men and women, ventilatory efficiency was increased during deep breathing relative to natural breathing, regardless of the instructions. In women, the increment in ventilatory efficiency during deep breathing was greater under NB compared to that under DB. The work of breathing decreased during deep breathing in women under both instructions, but did not change in men under DB. [Conclusion] Under NB instruction, deep breathing elicits similar or greater effects on ventilatory efficiency compared to that under DB instruction.

Comparison of two instructions for deep breathing exercise: non-specific and diaphragmatic breathing.

Administration of botulinum neurotoxin A (BoNT-A) to the ankle plantar flexors in patients with hemiplegia reduces the strength of knee extension, which may decrease their walking ability. Studies have reported improvements in walking ability with physical therapy following BoNT-A administration. However, no previous studies have evaluated from an exercise physiology perspective the efficacy of physical therapy after BoNT-A administration for adult patients with hemiplegia.

How effective is physical therapy for gait muscle activity in hemiparetic patients who receive botulinum toxin injections?

[Purpose] Urinary incontinence is a frequent postpartum complication. Thus, this study aimed to examine the associations of transversus abdominis muscle thicknesses at rest and during an abdominal drawing-in maneuver with urinary incontinence in females at 2 months postpartum. [Participants and Methods] The participants included 18 females at 2 months postpartum with or without urinary incontinence, and 10 nulliparous females as controls. Transversus abdominis thickness was measured at rest and during the abdominal drawing-in maneuver using diagnostic ultrasonography. The Japanese version of the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form was used to evaluate urinary incontinence. [Results] Females at 2 months postpartum were divided into groups with and without urinary incontinence according to questionnaire scores. The muscle thickness during the abdominal drawing-in maneuver contraction was significantly lower in those with urinary incontinence than in those without urinary incontinence and controls. [Conclusion] The results showed significantly reduced transversus abdominis thickness during contraction, which suggested reduced transversus abdominis strength in females with postpartum urinary incontinence. Thus, promoting synergistic contraction of the inner unit, including the transversus abdominis, in exercise therapy may be more effective for postpartum urinary incontinence.

Relationship between transversus abdominis muscle thickness and urinary incontinence in females at 2 months postpartum.

[Purpose] This study aimed to verify the relationship between foot range of motion and the amount of physical activity in diabetic patients. [Participants and Methods] There were twenty-eight male patients with diabetes (age ranged from 50 to 69 years old) and 10 healthy, non-diabetic male individuals within the same age range in the diabetes group and control group, respectively. The passive ranges of motion of the following joints were measured in the right foot of each participant: the ankle joint, the first metatarsophalangeal joint, and the subtalar joint. The amount of daily physical activity was estimated using the short Japanese version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. [Results] The mean range of motion of the ankle joints in the diabetic and control groups was 55.4 ± 8.4° and 69.1 ± 9.2°, respectively, whereas the mean range of motion of the first metatarsophalangeal joints in the diabetic and control groups was 82.9 ± 9.6° and 96.3 ± 8.9°, respectively. The diabetic group showed a significantly higher restriction in joint range of motion than did the control group. The amount of physical activity was a contributing factor toward the ankle range of motion according to multiple regression analysis. [Conclusion] We determined that the range of motion in the ankle joints of diabetic patients was affected by their level of physical activity.

Hiroichi Miaki

Faculty of Health Sciences,
Institute of Medical,
Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences,
Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences

Kanazawa University

Investigation into Deep Breathing through Measurement of Ventilatory Parameters and Observation of Breathing Patterns

Hiroichi Miaki

.css-o250i3{font-size:18px;font-family:Open Sans,sans-serif;line-height:21.6px;}Faculty of Health Sciences,Institute of Medical,Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences,Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences

Kanazawa University

Investigation into Deep Breathing through Measurement of Ventilatory Parameters and Observation of Breathing Patterns

Faculty of Health Sciences,
Institute of Medical,
Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences,
Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences