Effects of elastic band resistance exercises with breathing techniques on pulmonary function in female seniors

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of elastic-band resistance exercises combined with breathing techniques on pulmonary function in female seniors. Forty-five female seniors 65 years or older were recruited from a welfare center and assigned to an experimental (n=23) or control (n=22) group. The experimental group used an elastic band with a resistance exercises while concurrently using specific breathing techniques. The control group conducted the same resistance tasks without the respiration exercises. Respiratory function data were collected before and after the 6-week intervention. The experimental group showed a significant increase in forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume 1 sec (FEV₁), and in FEV₁ as a percentage of FVC. In addition, there were significant differences in the FVC and FEV₁ levels between groups. The results show that resistance accompanied by breathing techniques positively affects senior respiratory function when an elastic band is used for exercise.