Effects of Pursed-Lip Breathing Exercise Using Windmill Toy on Lung Function and Respiratory Muscle Strength in the Elderly
Sarawut Jansang BSc*, Timothy Mickleborough PhD**, Daroonwan Suksom PhD*
Affiliation : * Faculty of Sports Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand ** Department of Kinesiology, School of Public Health, Indiana University, Bloomington, USA
Background : Aging results in decline in lung function and reduction of respiration muscle strength.
Objective : To investigate whether pursed-lip breathing exercise, using windmill toy, can improve lung function, and respiratory
muscle strength in the elderly.
Material and Method: Fifty-four older men and women (aged 60 to 75 years) were randomly assigned to three groups,
control (CON, n = 18), diaphragmatic breathing exercise (DBE, n = 18), and pursed-lips breathing exercise (PBE, n = 18)
group. The DBE group was subjected to deep breathing exercises by slowly inhaling and exhaling through the nose. The
PBE group was subjected to a breathing maneuver that comprised of inhaling gently through the nose, and then slowly and
gently squeeze air out through pursed-lips using windmill toy to control the airflow. Both breathing exercise groups (PBE
and DBE) performed the maneuvers three times per week for 12 weeks. Shortness of breath, 6-minute walk distance (6MWD),
lung function, and respiratory muscle strength were measured at pre- and post-test.
Results : Shortness of breath scores, the ratio of force vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1),
and maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) were significantly increased (all p<0.05) in the PBE group compared to CON and
DBE groups at weeks 12. However, no significant differences in maximum expiratory pressure (MEP) were observed in all
three groups.
Conclusion : Pursed-lips breathing exercise using a windmill toy is an effective breathing exercise intervention for improving
lung function and respiratory muscle strength in the elderly.
Keywords : Pursed-lip breathing exercise, Diaphragmatic breathing exercise, Respiratory muscle strength, Windmill toy
