Influence of the breathing pattern during resistance training on intraocular pressure

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the effect of the breathing pattern during resistance training on intraocular pressure (IOP). Twenty physically active collegiate students (7 women and 13 men) performed sets of 10 repetitions against the 10-RM (repetition maximum) load during the back-squat and biceps-curl exercises following 3 different breathing patterns: (I) Valsalva: holding the breath during the entire repetition; (II) normal breathing: holding the breath and exhaling during the first and second phases of the repetition, respectively; and (III) modified breathing: inhaling and holding the breath during the first and second phases of the repetition, respectively. Rebound tonometry was used to measure IOP before exercise, after each of the 10 repetitions, and after 1 min of recovery. The breathing pattern significantly affected the changes in IOP values (p < 0.001, ${\eta }_p^2$ = 0.509) with the normal breathing pattern providing lower increases in IOP values compared to the Valsalva (p < 0.001, d = 1.47) and modified breathing (p < 0.001, d = 0.96). Higher IOP values were observed for the back-squat compared to the biceps-curl exercise (p = 0.003, ${\eta }_p^2$ = 0.384). A normal breathing pattern should be recommended to avoid abrupt increments in IOP during resistance training. These findings may be especially important for individuals at high risk for glaucoma onset or progression due to the necessity of maintaining stable IOP levels to avoid the progression of this disease. In future studies, the inclusion of glaucoma patients would allow to assess the generalizability of these findings.

Keywords:

• Ocular health
• strength exercise
• glaucoma management
• Valsalva

Acknowledgments

The authors thank to all the participants who selflessly collaborated in this research.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

ORCID

Alejandro Perez-Castilla http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5535-2087

Amador García-Ramos http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0608-8755