Comparison of Differences in Respiratory Muscle Thickness and Vital Capacity during Aerobic Exercise according to Respiration Method

The purpose of this study was to identify the comparison of difference in respiratory muscle thickness and vital capacity during aerobic exercise in 20 minutes according to abdominal breathing and thoracic breathing. A sample of 30 men and women in their 20s were assigned to an abdominal breathing group and thoracic breathing group. All subjects measured their respiratory muscle thickness and vital capacity before aerobic exercise and after aerobic exercise. In order to compare the differences before and after the intervention, the paired t-test was used. In addition independent t-test was used to compare the differences between groups. The P value was set to 0.05. The abdominal breathing group showed significant changes in FEV1, FEV1/FVC (%). The thoracic breathing group showed significant changes in upper trapezius, FEV1, FEV1/FVC (%). In comparison between groups, the abdominal group showed significant differences in upper trapezius, FEV1, FEV1/FVC (%) compared to the thoracic breathing group. The abdominal breathing is effective in improving vital capacity. While using thoracic breathing for aerobic exercise, the sternocleidomastoid (SCM) and upper trapezius (UT) can be excessively active, resulting in musculoskeletal diseases such as forward head posture and thoracic outlet syndrome. Therefore, abdominal breathing should be used for aerobic exercise. and it is recommended to exercise with appropriate strength to prevent compensation of the SCM and UT.