Effect of postural breath technique (PBT) compared with postural stretching technique (PST) on body flexibility in healthy participants with poor flexibility: A randomized controlled trial
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Abstract
Background: Body flexibility is essential in sports science, enhancing athletic performance by improving agility, balance, and coordination. Postural muscles serve postural control and breathing and are crucial in biomechanics and neurophysiology. The postural breath technique, an exercise combining breathing and postural muscle engagement, was designed to enhance flexibility.
Objective: This study compared the effects of postural breath technique (PBT) and postural stretching technique (PST) on body flexibility in individuals with poor flexibility.
Materials and methods: Fifty-eight participants with poor flexibility were randomly divided into two groups. They received a supervised exercise program of either PBT or PST twice weekly for four weeks. Outcome measurements, including Sit and Reach Test (SRT) as the primary outcome, Modified-modified Schober Test (MMST), Passive Knee Extension Test (PKE), and Craniovertebral Angle Test (CVA) as secondary outcomes, were conducted at baseline, immediately after the first session, and after the last session.
Results: Within each group, both PBT and PST significantly increased SRT scores, decreased PKE angle on both sides and improved MMST and CVA. The mixed-model ANOVA revealed significant differences within groups at each assessment point. PBT resulted in immediate and after four weeks improvements in SRT, MMST, PKE, and CVA, while PST showed increased of all outcomes after four weeks. However, there was no significant difference between the PBT and PST groups.
Conclusion: Both PBT and PST demonstrated effectiveness in improving general body and hamstring flexibility. The study’s results suggest that clinicians determine the most effective approach for everyone, such as immediate flexibility improvements (PBT) or sustained flexibility gains over time (PST).
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Personal views expressed by the contributors in their articles are not necessarily those of the Journal of Associated Medical Sciences, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University.
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