| Abstract |
Purpose : The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of using a Diaphragmatic Pressure Belt (DiP belt). As
resistance intensity increases during inspiratory muscle training (IMT), the DiP belt provides diaphragm contraction force
as visual feedback on the accessory inspiratory muscles. Methods : A total of 30 subjects (18 men and 12 women) were
included in this study. The Maximum Inspiratory Pressure (MIP) was measured using a digital MIP device, and accessory
inspiratory muscles were measured using surface electromyography. At 0% and 40% of the MIP, changes in muscle activity
of the accessory inspiratory muscles were measured with the DiP belt with IMT (DiPIMT) method and the General
Diaphragmatic Breathing with IMT (GDBIMT) method. Results : When the intensity of IMT was increased from 0% to 40%,
the DiPIMT method significantly reduced the muscle activity of the sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM), while the GDBIMT
method showed no significant difference. Scalene muscle activity (SCA) decreased in both methods, but not significantly.
In the case of the SCM, DiPIMT was significantly lower in muscle activity than GDBIMT at 40% intensity but showed no
significant difference at 0% intensity. In the case of SCA, DiPIMT had significantly lower muscle activity than GDBIMT for
both intensities (0% and 40%) and was significantly lower with changes in intensity. Conclusion : IMT using a DiP belt
is a useful breathing exercise method that lowers the recruitment of accessory inspiratory muscles and allows an
appropriate load on the diaphragm muscle. |