Affiliations: Department of Physical Education and Sport, Gaziantep University, Gaziantep, Turkey
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Mustafa Özdal, Department of Physical Education and Sports, Gaziantep University, 27350 Gaziantep, Turkey. Tel.: +90 342 317 2293; Mobile: +90 506 515 0159; Fax: +90 342 360 0751; E-mail: ozdalm@hotmail.com.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Some disabled persons especially those with Down syndrome have cardiorespiratory disorders that negatively influence their daily life. Strength training for respiratory muscles may positively affect daily life of such disabled persons. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study was to investigate the effects of inspiratory muscle training on respiratory functions and respiratory muscle strength in individuals with Down syndrome. METHODS: Sixteen individuals were enrolled and divided into experimental (n= 9) and control (n= 7) groups. The experimental (40% of maximal inspiratory pressure) and control (0% of maximal inspiratory pressure) groups were trained 5 days per week for 4 weeks with an inspiratory muscle training device. In both groups, respiratory functions (slow vital capacity and forced vital capacity) and respiratory muscle strength (maximal inspiratory pressure and maximal expiratory pressure) were measured one day before and after the 4-week training period. RESULTS: Significant pre-post changes were found in the respiratory functions and respiratory muscle strength of the experimental group (p< 0.05) while no took place in the control group (p> 0.05). All the measurements, including maximal inspiratory pressure, maximal expiratory pressure (as respiratory muscle strength), forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in one second, forced vital capacity to expiratory volume ratio (FEV1/FVC), peak expiratory flow, peak inspiratory flow, maximal voluntary ventilation, vital capacity, and inspiratory vital capacity increased significantly. CONCLUSIONS: Inspiratory muscle training is likely to have a positive effect on respiratory functions and respiratory muscle strength in individuals with Down syndrome.
Keywords: Inspiratory training, respiratory muscle strength, Down syndrome
