Effects of Respiratory Muscle Stretch Gymnastics on Chest Expansion, Forced Vital Capacity, Respiratory Muscle Strength, and Self-Perception of Breathing in Thai Males Aged 18-25 Years
Keywords:
Respiratory muscle stretch gymnastics, Muscle, Respiration, Thorax, Physical activityAbstract
This study aimed to investigate the immediate effects of respiratory muscle stretch gymnastics (RMSG) on chest expansion, forced vital capacity (FVC), maximum inspiratory pressure (PImax), maximum expiratory pressure (PEmax), and self-perception of breathing. Twenty-five participants were Thai males aged 18-25 years. They were asked to complete RMSG, which included 5 patterns, 4 repeats of each pattern, and a 30-second break in between, for a total of 15 minutes. All variables were measured pre- and post-performing RMSG. The results showed a significant increase in chest expansion (P<0.01). In addition, significant increases were also found in FVC, from 3,640±714.72 to 3,836±747.15 milliliters; PImax, from 107.68±22.85 to 114.16±28.22 cmH2O; and PEmax, from 125.52±29.09 to 138.04±20.36 cmH2O. Regarding the self-perception of breathing, 48.00% of the participants reported an improvement, whereas 40.00% of them reported no change. Therefore, RMSG could immediately improve chest expansion, FVC, respiratory muscle strength, and self-perception of breathing. This technique caused no adverse effects and directly provides benefits to respiratory efficiency in the general population. It might be applied to patients with restricted chest expansion.
References
สมาคมอุรเวชช์แห่งประเทศไทย. (2562). แนวทางการตรวจสมรรถภาพปอด. https://thaichestjournal.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/guidelinepft.pdf
Awachat, A. C., Sahasrabudhe, P., Sancheti, P., & Shyam, A. (2022). Effect of respiratory muscle stretch gymnastics on exercise capacity in the elderly-a randomized control trial. In J Resp Care, 11(2), 145-148. https://doi.org/10.4103/ijrc.ijrc_163_21
Chand, & Vaish, H. (2023). Effect of diaphragmatic breathing, respiratory muscle stretch gymnastics and conventional physiotherapy on chest expansion, pulmonary function and pain in patients with mechanical neck pain: A single group pretest-posttest quasi-experimental pilot study. J Bodyw Mov Ther, 36, 148-152. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbmt.2023.07.004
Chokshi, J., Mulla, A., Oza, F., & Mevada, N. (2025). Effect of respiratory muscle stretch gymnastic on peak expiratory flow rate, exercise capacity, rate of perceived exertion, pain, and posture in computer workers: An interventional study. Arch Med Health Sci, 13(1), 63-70. https://doi.org/10.4103/amhs.amhs_278_23
Ganesh, B. R., & Anantlaxmi, G. (2017). Short term effects of respiratory muscle stretch gymnastics versus hold relax PNF on pulmonary function and chest expansion in elderly individuals: A randomized clinical trial. Int J of Appl Res, 3(7), 1018-1022.
Ito, M., Kakizaki, F., Tsuzura, Y., & Yamada, M. (1999). Immediate effect of respiratory muscle stretch gymnastics and diaphragmatic breathing on respiratory pattern. Respiratory muscle conditioning group. Intern Med, 38(2), 126-132. http://doi/org/10.2169/internalmedicine.38.126
Iwakura, M., Okura, K., Kubota, M., Sugawara, K., Kawagoshi, A., Takahashi, H., & Shioya, T. (2021). Estimation of minimal clinically important difference for quadriceps and inspiratory muscle strength in older outpatients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A prospective cohort study. Phys Ther Res, 24(1), 35-42. https://doi.org/10.1298/ptr.E10049
Micro Direct Inc. (2019). Respiratory pressure meter operating manual. https://mdspiro.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/RPM01-MicroRPM-Operators-Manual.pdf
Minoguchi, H., Shibuya, M., Miyagawa, T., Kokubu, F., Yamad, M., Tanaka, H., Altose M.D., Adachi, M., & Homma, I. (2002). Cross-over comparison between respiratory muscle stretch gymnastics and inspiratory muscle training. Intern Med, 41(10), 805-812. https://doi.org/10.2169/internalmedicine.41.805
Moreno, M. A., Catai, A. M., Teodori, R. M., Borges, B. L. A., Cesar, M. C., & Silva, E. (2007). Effect of a muscle stretching program using the Global Postural Reeducation method on respiratory muscle strength and thoracoabdominal mobility of sedentary young males. J Bras Pneumol, 33(6), 679-686. https://doi.org/10.1590/s1806-37132007000600011
Nair, A., Alaparthi, G. K., Krishnan, S., Rai, S., Anand, R., Acharya, V., & Acharya, P. (2019). Comparison of diaphragmatic stretch technique and manual diaphragm release technique on diaphragmatic excursion in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A randomized crossover trial. Pulm Med, 2019, 6364376. https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/6364376
Pinto, A. J., Bergouignan, A., Dempsey, P. C., Roschel, H., Owen, N., Gualano, B., & Dunstan, D. W. (2023). Physiology of sedentary behavior. Physiol Rev, 103(4), 2561-2622. https://doi.org/10.1152/physrev.00022.2022
Puckree, T., Cerny, F., & Bishop, B. (2002). Does intercostal stretch alter breathing pattern and respiratory muscle activity in conscious adults? Physiotherapy, 88(2), 89-97. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9406(05)60932-7
Yamada, M., Shibuya, M., Kanamaru, A., Tanaka, K., Suzuki, H., & Altose, M. D., & Homma, I. (1996). Benefits of respiratory muscle stretch gymnastics in chronic respiratory disease. The Showa University Journal of Medical Sciences, 8(1), 63-71. https://doi.org/10.15369/sujms1989.8.63
Ylinen, J. (2008). Stretching therapy for sport and manual therapies. Churchill Livingstone.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Christian University of Thailand
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
