Effect of Respiratory Muscle Exercises Combined with Step Aerobic Exercise on Respiratory Functions

The purpose of the study is to compare the effects of equipment-based respiratory muscle exercises administered at different times on the respiratory functions of sedentary women performing step aerobic exercise. The study included 32 sedentary female volunteers aged 18-24. Participants were divided into three groups: the Exercise+RME group (n=10), which performed respiratory muscle exercises during rest intervals between sets of step aerobic exercise; the Home+RME group (n=10), which performed respiratory muscle exercises at home in addition to step aerobic exercise; and the Control group (n=12), which performed only step aerobic exercise. All groups followed the same step aerobic exercise program three times per week for eight weeks, while the Exercise+RME and Home+RME groups also engaged in respiratory muscle exercises. Respiratory functions of the participants were measured using a spirometer. The results indicated that all groups showed statistically significant improvements in respiratory parameters from pre-test to post-test, with the Exercise+RME group demonstrating the greatest percentage increase. In conclusion, step aerobic exercises are effective in enhancing respiratory functions, and the addition of equipment-based respiratory muscle exercises further improves respiratory parameters. Therefore, equipment-based respiratory muscle exercises combined with aerobic exercise may be considered an alternative method for enhancing respiratory parameters.