Physiological effects of combined breathing and physical training in middle-aged and older adults

[Purpose] The safety and physiological effects of combined training with breathing resistance and sustained physical exertion in middle-aged and older adults remain unclear. This pilot study investigated the safety and physiological benefits of this training method in older adults. [Participants and Methods] Participants aged 55-75 without respiratory, circulatory, or metabolic diseases were randomly divided into two groups: a combined breathing and physical training group and a control group. All participants were assessed for respiratory function and metabolic parameters before and after a 6-week training period. [Results] Two participants with hypertension were excluded from the study, leaving 24 participants who were randomly assigned to the combined training group (14 participants) or the control group (10 participants). All participants completed the 6-week training, except for three who withdrew due to adverse health events. In the combined training group, maximal minute ventilation significantly increased post-intervention compared to pre-training levels. [Conclusion] Six weeks of combined breathing and physical training was safely conducted in middle-aged and older adults. The results suggest that this method is more effective than conventional training in improving respiratory function. Therefore, this approach could be a novel method for enhancing respiratory function in middle-aged and older adults.