| Summary: | Recent scientific findings indicate that pelvic floor muscles contract eccentrically
during inspiration and concentrically with abdominal muscle during expiration.
However previous studies exist on either the effect of diaphragmatic breathing exercise
or pelvic floor muscle exercise on pulmonary function. Research has also shown, that
the effectiveness of pulmonary function depends on diaphragmatic breathing exercise
and to a lesser extent on pelvic floor muscle exercise. However the effect of combined
diaphragmic breathing and pelvic floor muscles contractions exercise on pulmonary
function and physical fitness variables have not been studied. Therefore this study
aimed to investigate the effect of combined diaphragmic breathing and pelvic floor
muscles contractions exercise on pulmonary function and physical fitness variables in
young male football players. In a randomised control trial design, 60 nonsmoking young
male football players with the mean age of 14.18 (0.79) years, were randomly assigned
to four groups (Group A, B, C, D) of 20 respondents in each group. The variables of
pulmonary functions were measured at baseline using digital pony FX micro
spirometer. The variables of physical fitness were measured using standard physical
fitness test battery and the vital sign components were also measured. The Group A
players were instructed to do diaphragmatic breathing exercise training, Group B
players received pelvic floor muscle exercise training, Group C players received
combined diaphragmic breathing and pelvic floor muscles contractions exerci e
training and Group D ( Conventional sports training group) players receiv d
conventional sports training. All the four groups were informed to do the assign d
cxerci es for 15 minute 5 times per week for 8 weeks along with their con entional
sports training. Mid and post intervention measurements were carried out at the fourth
week and the eighth week with identical baseline assessment protocol. The repeated
measures ANOVA re ealed that combined diaphragmic breathing and pelvic floor
muscles contractions exercise was more beneficial in enhancing, the pulmonary
function parameters of inspiratory reserve volume (IRV), expiratory reserve volume
(ERV), inspiratory capacity (IC), peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR), maximum
voluntary ventilation (MVV), and FEVl/FVC ratio, the physical fitness parameters of
upper and lower limb strength, speed and the vital sign components of resting diastolic
blood pressure (RDBP) than the pelvic floor exercise, diaphragmatic breathing exercise
and conventional sports training. But combined diaphragmic breathing and pelvic floor
muscles contractions exercise was observed to have no difference in improving the
pulmonary function parameters of tidal volume (Vt), vital capacity (VC), forced vital
capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in first second (FEVl), the physical fitness
parameters of flexibility, core strength, maximal oxygen uptake (V02 max), agility and
balance, the vital sign components of resting heart rate (RHR), resting respiratory rate
(RRR), resting systolic blood pressure (RSBP) than the pelvic floor exercise,
diaphragmatic breathing exercise and conventional sports training. The use of combined diaphragmic breathing and pelvic floor muscles contractions exercise is effective in
improving some of the pulmonary function, fitness, and vital sign parameters in young
male football players. Hence it would be beneficial if this exercise is included as a part
of sports training.
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