ABSTRACT
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. 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%HR[max]. Db performed diaphragmatic breathing combined with inspiratory resistive breathing at varying inspiration, expiration ratios while control group received no structured exercise. Following At and Db, significant improvement were found in FVC [At:p=0.001;Db:p=0.000], FEV[1] [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]. 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