Static standing posture and pulmonary function in moderate-persistent asthmatics following aerobic and diaphragmatic breathing training

Objectives: 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. methodology: 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%hrmax . db performed diaphragmatic breathing combined with inspiratory resistive breathing at varying inspiration, expiration ratios while control group received no structured exercise. results: following at and db, significant improvement were found in fvc (at:p=0.001;db:p=0.000), fev1 (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). conclusion: 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.