2023 Volume 38 Issue 1 Pages 78-83
[Purpose] This study compared the results of chest expansion, respiratory function, and respiratory muscle strength before and after an intervention using a spine mat. [Participants and Methods] We enrolled 30 healthy adult men (age 20.2 ± 1.6 years). For the intervention, participants lay in a supine position on a spine mat so that it adhered to the thoracic spine. The primary outcome variables were spinal alignment, thoracic expansion, and respiratory function. [Results] Following the intervention, a significant decrease was observed in the thoracic kyphosis angle. The intervention significantly increased chest expansion. Respiratory function tests revealed a significant increase in the inspiratory capacity (IC), and respiratory muscle strength showed a significant increase in the maximum inspiratory mouth pressure (PI max). [Conclusion] The results suggest that the use of a spine mat can improve chest expansion, the IC and the PI max value.
