Effects of Biofeedback Inspiratory Muscle Training on Respiratory Muscle Activation and Pulmonary Function in Older Adults

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the effects of a 6-week biofeedback-based inspiratory muscle training (IMT) combined with a respiratory exercise program on respiratory muscle activation and pulmonary function in community-dwelling older adults.Methods: Thirty adults aged 65 years were randomly assigned to an experimental group (n=15) receiving both respiratory exercises and biofeedback IMT, or a control group (n=15) receiving respiratory exercises only.Respiratory muscle activation of the sternocleidomastoid, external intercostal, and rectus abdominis was measured using surface electromyography (BTS FreeEMG 1000), and pulmonary function, including maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) and peak inspiratory flow (PIF), was assessed using Powerbreathe K5.Between-group differences in post-intervention outcomes were analyzed using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), with baseline values as covariates.Paired t-tests were additionally conducted to examine within-group pre-post changes.Interventions were conducted three times per week for six weeks.Results: ANCOVA revealed that the experimental group showed significantly greater improvements in external intercostal and rectus abdominis activation, as well as MIP and PIF, compared with the control group (p < 0.05).Within-group analyses demonstrated significant pre-post improvements in respiratory muscle activation and pulmonary function in both groups (p < 0.05). Conclusion:Biofeedback-based IMT combined with respiratory exercise effectively enhances respiratory muscle activation and pulmonary function in older adults.These findings suggest that biofeedback IMT may serve as an efficient intervention strategy to maintain respiratory function and promote physical capacity in community-dwelling elderly populations.