The Effects of Strength Training of Pelvis Elevator Muscles on Exhalation Capacity in Healthy Men

Abstract

The effects on expiratory muscle strength and exhalation capacity of increased pelvis elevator muscles strength caused by strength training are not known. Twenty-six male students were randomized to either a training group or a control group. The training group had pelvis elevator muscles strength training twice daily for 4 weeks. At the beginning and end of the study, pelvis elevator muscle strength, maximum expiratory muscle strength (PE_max), and peak cough flow (PCF) were measured, and pulmonary function testing (forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV_1.0), peak expiratory flow rate (PFR)) was performed. In the training group, significant increases were seen in pelvis elevator muscles strength, PE_max, and FEV_1.0; no changes were seen in FVC, PFR, or PCF. No significant correlation was seen between change in pelvis elevator muscles strength and changes in exhalation capacity parameters in the training group. Strength training of the pelvis elevator muscles increases respiratory muscle strength, which would suggest that such training could increase exhalation capacity. However, the increase in pelvis elevator muscles strength that occurred as a result of training could not fully account for the changes in expiratory muscle strength or other parameters of exhalation capacity noted after training.