ABSTRACT
Purpose: To examine the effect of respiratory physiotherapy among men with obstructive respiratory disorder, in relation to abdominal circumference (AC). Methods: Quasi-experimental study including 26 men split into two groups according to AC(cm): 1) < 102 (ACrisk-free); and 2) ≥ 102 (ACrisk). Heart rate variability (HRV), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), oxygen saturation (SpO2), FEV1/FVC, slow vital capacity (SVC), inspiratory capacity (IC), maximal inspiratory pressure (PImax), thoracoabdominal amplitude (AI) were measured: before (M1); 5 min after the physiotherapy (i.e. breathing exercises for airway clearance and active kinesiotherapy) (M2); and at follow-up, 30 min after physiotherapy (M3). Results: The groups differed in age, body mass index and body fat %. At M2 IC was different between groups (ACrisk-free< ACrisk). There was an increase in HRV indexes, PImax, SpO2, axillary AI, FEV1/FVC, and reduction in HR for ACrisk-free. There was a decrease in AI and an increase in DBP for ACrisk. Conclusion: In men with obstructive respiratory disorder, increased AC measurement limited the thoracoabdominal expansibility and induced a rise of the DBP. Respiratory physiotherapy promotes an increase of cardiac modulation and inspiratory capacity for men with obstructive respiratory disorder.
Declaration of Interest
The authors report no declarations of interest.