Benefits Of Respiratory Conditioning In Sedentary Adults Compared To Stepwise Paced Breathing

Waking behavior of an energy expenditure of 1.0 - 1.5 METs is considered sedentary behavior. The adverse effects of sedentary lifestyles include cardiorespiratory diseases. Physical activity is recommended to lower these risks. Viable exercises for individuals that are immobile due to disabilities and physical or mental illness are necessary to help offset these effects. Various breathing exercises have been used to help improve cardiorespiratory function. PURPOSE: The aim of this pilot study was to compare the differences between stepwise-paced breathing (SPB) and conditioning breathing exercises (defined in the research of Dr. Florence Villien) in sedentary adults on cardiovascular and respiratory function. METHODS: A total of 8 sedentary individuals participated in the breathing study (3 males and 5 females; average age 41.38 years). Participants met virtually twice a week over 5 weeks for a total of 10, 30-minute personalized respiratory coaching sessions. Participants did not begin or participate in cardiovascular or weight training exercise programs during the study. RESULTS: Paired t-tests showed a statistically significant difference between before and after resting respiratory rates of (M = 6.51, SD = 2.20), t(3) = 5.93, p < .01 and systolic pressure (M = 4.83, SD = 2.42), t(3) = 4.97, p < .016 of the Villien group. The repeated measures ANOVA determined that mean resting respiratory rates, F(1.00, 11.274) = 15.542, p = 0.010 and systolic pressure F(1.00, 35.00) = 24.686, p = 0.016 differed statistically significantly between time domains. CONCLUSION: In sedentary populations, resting respiratory rates, and systolic pressure, improved following five weeks of the Villien method. These results suggest that five weeks of conditioning breathing exercises, twice a week can begin to improve key cardiovascular and respiratory parameters apart from cardiovascular exercise. This is a health tool for sedentary populations that could help improve their quality of life.