Cardiorespiratory repercussions according to the abdominal circumference measurement of men with obstructive respiratory disorder submitted to respiratory physiotherapy

Purpose: To examine the effect of respiratory physiotherapy among men with obstructive respiratory disorder, in relation to abdominal circumference (AC). Methods: Quasi-experimental study including 26 men split into two groups according to AC(cm): 1) < 102 (ACrisk-free); and 2) ≥ 102 (ACrisk). Heart rate variability (HRV), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), oxygen saturation (SpO2), FEV1/FVC, slow vital capacity (SVC), inspiratory capacity (IC), maximal inspiratory pressure (PImax), thoracoabdominal amplitude (AI) were measured: before (M1); 5 min after the physiotherapy (i.e. breathing exercises for airway clearance and active kinesiotherapy) (M2); and at follow-up, 30 min after physiotherapy (M3). Results: The groups differed in age, body mass index and body fat %. At M2 IC was different between groups (ACrisk-free< ACrisk). There was an increase in HRV indexes, PImax, SpO2, axillary AI, FEV1/FVC, and reduction in HR for ACrisk-free. There was a decrease in AI and an increase in DBP for ACrisk. Conclusion: In men with obstructive respiratory disorder, increased AC measurement limited the thoracoabdominal expansibility and induced a rise of the DBP. Respiratory physiotherapy promotes an increase of cardiac modulation and inspiratory capacity for men with obstructive respiratory disorder.