A Study to Find the Efficacy of Core Stabilization Exercise on Respiratory Functions

Abstract

Core stabilization exercise has become a well-known trend in fitness. The diaphragm, which is a component of core stability, plays a role in respiration and stabilizing the trunk by controlling intra-abdominal pressure. Abdominal exercises, such as sit-ups and leg lifts, are used to enhance the strength of the core muscles. Correct breathing (especially as it involves the respiratory muscles) is vital to abdominal training because respiratory muscles are directly involved during common core stability exercises. This is an experimental study where pre and post design is used. This study was done on a healthy population; a total number of 30 subjects were taken according to the inclusion criteria. 15 subjects in Group-A received five core stabilization exercises combined with diaphragmatic breathing with pre and post-test analysis and 15 subjects in Group-B received resting breathing and diaphragmatic breathing with pre and post-test analysis. 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT), Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second (FEV1), Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) and Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF) were measured. Based on the inter-group analysis, Group-A (Experimental Group) showed greater improvement p < 0.05 than Group-B (Control Group) in post-test on 6MWT as well as FEV1, FVC, PEF. All the interventions have brought about some improvement (p<0.05) in each group post-treatment based on the mean score but its significance varies. The significance of this study is that it showed the relationship between the core muscles and respiratory functions. So, this study can be concluded that the exercise protocol of core stability exercise with diaphragmatic breathing could improve respiratory functions significantly as compared to resting breathing and diaphragmatic breathing exercise alone.