PURPOSE We have shown that individuals with recurrent nonspecific low back pain (LBP) and healthy individuals breathing against an inspiratory load decrease their reliance on back proprioceptive signals in upright standing. Because individuals with LBP show greater susceptibility to diaphragm fatigue, it is reasonable to hypothesize that LBP, diaphragm dysfunction, and proprioceptive use may be...

OBJECTIVE To report the use of inspiratory muscle strength training to treat repeated ventilatory insufficiency in a child with nemaline myopathy who underwent cardiac and renal transplantation. DESIGN Case report. SETTING Pediatric intensive care unit of a tertiary care university teaching hospital. PATIENT A 16-yr-old female with nemaline myopathy affecting cardiorespiratory function, r...

BACKGROUND Pulmonary and respiratory muscle function impairment are common in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). Inspiratory muscle training may improve strength, dyspnea and functional capacity in healthy subjects and in those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. This study investigated the effect of specific inspiratory muscle training (SIMT) on pulmonary functions, inspiratory mu...

BACKGROUND Cycle ergometer training (CET) has been shown to improve exercise performance of the quadriceps muscles in patients with COPD, and inspiratory muscle training (IMT) may improve the pressure-generating capacity of the inspiratory muscles. However, the effects of combined CET and IMT remain unclear and there is a lack of comprehensive assessment. MATERIALS AND METHODS Eighty-one pati...

BACKGROUND Inspiratory muscle weakness is a recognised cause of unexplained dyspnoea. It may be suggested by the finding of a low static inspiratory mouth pressure (MIP), but MIP is a difficult test to perform, with a wide normal range; a low MIP may also occur if the patient has not properly performed the manoeuvre. Further investigation conventionally requires balloon catheters to obtain oeso...

INTRODUCTION Inspiratory muscle function may be affected in patients with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), further worsening the functional loss in these individuals. However, the impact of inspiratory muscle weakness (IMW) on the functional capacity (FC) of hemodialysis patients remains unknown. Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate the impact of IMW on FC in ESRD patients undergoing hemodi...

Impairment of (inspiratory and expiratory) respiratory muscles is a common clinical finding, not only in patients with neuromuscular disease but also in patients with primary disease of the lung parenchyma or airways. Although such impairment is common, its recognition is usually delayed because its signs and symptoms are nonspecific and late. This delayed recognition, or even the lack thereof,...

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive, common and costly condition. Dyspnoea frequently limits activity and reduces health-related quality of life. In addition to impaired lung function, peripheral muscle deconditioning and respiratory muscle dysfunction also contribute to dyspnoea and reduced exercise capacity. Pulmonary rehabilitation using whole body exercise training...

Introduction Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery is associated with a decline in ventilatory muscle strength and lung function. Inspiratory training (IMT) based on anaerobic threshold (AT) has been used to minimize the impact of CABG these parameters, but long-term unknown. Objective To test hypothesis that AT-based IMT improves inspiratory function even six months after CABG. Method...

BACKGROUND/AIMS This study examines the feasibility of a preoperative exercise program to improve the physical fitness of a patient before gastrointestinal surgery. METHODS An outpatient exercise program was developed to increase preoperative aerobic capacity, peripheral muscle endurance and respiratory muscle function in patients with pancreatic, liver, intestinal, gastric or esophageal canc...