Effects of a novel wearable resistance vest for strengthening respiratory muscles: a proof-of-concept study in healthy adult males

Respiratory muscle weakness significantly limits functional capacity in various populations, yet conventional respiratory muscle training (RMT) often requires coached, mouthpiece-based maneuvers that can be limited by technique and adherence. The present proof-of-concept study evaluated the physiological efficacy of a novel, low-cost, wearable resistance vest designed to provide continuous circumferential thoracic loading during spontaneous breathing to improve respiratory muscle strength. In this prospective study, eighteen healthy adult males (mean age 25.7 ± 10.5 years) wore a custom-calibrated resistance vest set to approximately 95% of thoracic circumference at functional residual capacity. Daily wear time was increased weekly from 60 to 120 min over a three-week period. Maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) and maximal expiratory pressure (MEP) were measured at baseline and weekly according to ATS/ERS standards. Significant improvements in both MIP and MEP were observed at every weekly interval ( p < 0.001). From baseline to week 3, mean MIP increased from 102.7 ± 39.5 to 140.1 ± 42.3 cmH₂O (36.4% increase; Cohen’s d = 2.98), and mean MEP increased from 118.2 ± 22.3 to 165.9 ± 36.4 cmH₂O (40.3% increase; Cohen’s d = 2.37). Strength gains were observed in 100% of analyzed participants. These findings demonstrate that three weeks of progressively increased, command-independent thoracic loading is associated with substantial increases in respiratory muscle strength, providing a preliminary physiological foundation and warrant confirmation in adequately powered randomized controlled trials involving target patient populations. Trial Registration : NCT07698873 https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT07698873 .