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Published on: July 5, 2017
Effect of expiratory muscle strength training on elderly cough function
Jaeock Kim1, Paul Davenport, Christine Sapienza
1Major in Speech Pathology, Graduate School of Education, Kangnam University, Republic of Korea. jaeock@gmail.com
Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics
|May 7, 2008
Summary
Expiratory muscle strength training (EMST) improved maximum expiratory pressure and cough function in sedentary older adults. This 4-week program enhanced expiratory muscle strength, crucial for effective coughing in the elderly.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Respiratory Physiology
- Pulmonary Rehabilitation
Background:
- Aging leads to sarcopenia of expiratory muscles, reduced lung elastic recoil, and decreased chest wall compliance.
- These age-related changes diminish intrathoracic airway pressure, expiratory flow rates, and velocity, impairing the ability to generate effective cough forces.
- Impaired cough function in the elderly increases the risk of respiratory complications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of a 4-week expiratory muscle strength training (EMST) program on maximum expiratory pressure (MEP) and cough function.
- To assess the efficacy of EMST in improving expiratory muscle strength in healthy, sedentary elderly adults.
- To determine if EMST can enhance the physiological parameters of reflexive coughs.
Main Methods:
- Eighteen healthy, sedentary elderly adults participated in the study.
- A 4-week EMST program was implemented.
- Maximum expiratory pressure (MEP) was measured before and after the training period.
- Reflexive coughs were induced using capsaicin challenge, and parameters such as compression phase duration, peak expiratory flow rate, and post-peak plateau integral amplitude were measured.
Main Results:
- EMST significantly increased maximum expiratory pressure (MEP) from 77.14+/-20.20 to 110.83+/-26.11 cmH(2)O.
- Following EMST, the duration of the compression phase of reflexive coughs significantly decreased (from 0.35+/-0.19 to 0.16+/-0.17s).
- Peak expiratory flow rate during reflexive coughs increased (from 4.98+/-2.18 to 8.00+/-3.05 l/s), and post-peak plateau integral amplitude significantly increased (from 3.49+/-2.46 to 6.83+/-4.16 l/ss).
Conclusions:
- Expiratory muscle strength training (EMST) is an effective intervention for increasing expiratory muscle strength in sedentary elderly individuals.
- EMST leads to significant improvements in key parameters of cough function, including increased peak expiratory flow rate and enhanced cough effectiveness.
- These findings suggest that EMST can contribute to better respiratory health and potentially reduce the risk of respiratory complications in the elderly population.
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