Effects of Different Forced Breathing Patterns on Ventilatory Efficiency: Considering Individual Dominance

Abstract

[Purpose] To examine the effects of two different forced breathing patterns, thoracic and abdominal breathing, on ventilatory efficiency indices and their associations with individual dominance in breathing pattern. [Participants and Methods] We assessed 30 healthy adult men for tidal volume (VT), total respiratory time (Ttot), and oxygen uptake (VO₂), and compared these indices between thoracic and abdominal breathing patterns. We further divided participants into thoracic- and abdominal-dominant groups, and compared the dominant and non-dominant breathing patterns. [Results] During thoracic breathing, VT and Ttot were higher. In the thoracic-dominant group, VT and Ttot were higher under the same breathing pattern, whereas no differences were observed in the abdominal-dominant group. [Conclusion] Ventilatory characteristics during forced breathing may be influenced by breathing pattern and individual dominance, highlighting the importance of considering individual characteristics in interventions.