The Effects of Strengthening of the Serratus Anterior on Vital Capacity in 20’s Normal Adults

Abstract

Purpose : This study aimed to compare the effects of a strengthening exercise for the serratus anterior and diaphragmatic respiration on vital capacity in normal adults in their 20s. Method : One group(15 participants) performed a strengthening exercise for the serratus anterior, and a second group(15 participants) performed diaphragmatic respiration. Both groups performed their assigned exercise thrice a week for 4 weeks. Result : Both groups exhibited statistically significant differences in FVC and FEV1(p<0.05). However, there was no statistically significant difference between FVC, FEV1, and FEV1/FVC between the two groups. Conclusion : This study found that both the strengthening exercise for the serratus anterior and diaphragm breathing exercise demonstrated improvements in FVC and FEV1. These results indicate that both the serratus anterior strengthening exercise and diaphragmatic breathing exercise, which is known to be effective in increasing vital capacity, can be used as interventions to increase FVC.