Abstract
To examine the effects of 8‐week unsupervised, home‐based inspiratory muscle training (IMT) on the balance and physical performance of healthy older adults. Fifty‐nine participants (74 ± 6 years) were assigned randomly in a double‐blinded fashion to either IMT or sham‐IMT, using a pressure threshold loading device. The IMT group performed 30‐breath twice daily at ~50% of maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP). The sham‐IMT group performed 60‐breaths once daily at ~15% MIP; training was home‐based and unsupervised, with adherence self‐reported through training diaries. Respiratory outcomes were assessed pre‐ and postintervention, including forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume, peak inspiratory flow rate (PIFR), MIP, and inspiratory peak power. Balance and physical performance outcomes were measured using the shortened version of the Balance Evaluation System test (mini‐BEST), Biodex® postural stability test, timed up and go, five sit‐to‐stand, isometric “sit‐up” and Biering–Sørensen tests. Between‐group effects were examined using two‐way repeated measures ANOVA, with Bonferroni correction. After 8‐week, the IMT group demonstrated greater improvements (P ≤ 0.05) in: PIFR (IMT = 0.9 ± 0.3 L sec−1; sham‐IMT = 0.3 L sec−1); mini‐BEST (IMT = 3.7 ± 1.3; sham‐IMT = 0.5 ± 0.9) and Biering–Sørensen (IMT = 62.9 ± 6.4 sec; sham‐IMT = 24.3 ± 1.4 sec) tests. The authors concluded that twice daily unsupervised, home‐based IMT is feasible and enhances inspiratory muscle function and balance for community‐dwelling older adults.
Highlights
Accidental falls are the leading cause of fatal and nonfatal injuries amongst older adults in the Western world (CDCP, 2017)
Groups were similar in gender, age, BMI, pulmonary function (FVC and forced expiratory volume in 1 sec (FEV1)), balance confidence (ABC), perception of back pain (ODI), and cognitive capacity (MMSE) before training (P > 0.05)
Within-participants analysis showed that inspiratory muscle training (IMT) increased peak inspiratory flow rate (PIFR) by 19.7% (d = 1.2; P < 0.01), whilst sham-IMT increased PIFR by 7.5% (d = 0.2; P = 0.05)
Summary
Accidental falls are the leading cause of fatal and nonfatal injuries amongst older adults in the Western world (CDCP, 2017). There is an urgent need for effective interventions that are low cost and low risk to reduce falls. The majority of current exercise programs to improve balance focus on lower limb muscle strength, with the addition of supervised multidimensional movements, including Tai Chi, and dance (Sherrington 2019). It has been suggested that trunk muscle training (i.e., abdominal strength training and Pilates exercises training) may improve balance, and be used as a falls prevention intervention for older adults (Granacher et al 2013). The contribution of the trunk muscles to balance is unclear
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