Key result
Integrating diaphragmatic breathing with dynamic neuromuscular stabilization exercises significantly increased forced vital capacity (mean increase 1.11 L vs 0.48 L) compared to exercises without specific breathing instructions in women with abdominal obesity.
Why the study?
To investigate the effects of integrating diaphragmatic breathing with dynamic neuromuscular stabilization exercises on respiratory function, gait parameters, and physical self-esteem in middle-aged women with abdominal obesity.
Does integrating diaphragmatic breathing with dynamic neuromuscular stabilization exercises improve respiratory function, gait, and self-esteem in middle-aged women with abdominal obesity?
RCT (n=36)
Single-blind
Sealed opaque envelopes
No
Does integrating diaphragmatic breathing with dynamic neuromuscular stabilization exercises improve respiratory function, gait, and self-esteem in middle-aged women with abdominal obesity?
Absolute Event Rate: 1.11% vs 0.48%
p-value: p=<0.001
Integrating diaphragmatic breathing with dynamic neuromuscular stabilization exercises improves respiratory function, postural alignment during gait, and physical self-esteem in middle-aged women with abdominal obesity.
May improve respiratory/gait outcomes in obese women; leaves open need for larger RCTs before adoption.
PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of integrating diaphragmatic breathing (DB) with dynamic neuromuscular stabilization (DNS) exercises on respiratory function, gait parameters, and physical self-esteem in middle-age women with abdominal obesity.METHODS: Using a single-blind design, 36 middle-age women ≥50 years of age with abdominal obesity were randomly assigned to db and ndb group. Both groups participated in a six-week DNS exercise program conducted in one-on-one sessions twice per week, each lasting 50 min. Respiratory function (peak expiratory flow [PEF], forced vial capacity [FVC], forced expiratory volume [FEV1]), and gait parameters, and body self-esteem were measured before and after the intervention to analyze changes. Statistical analyses were performed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 29.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA), using descriptive statistics and nonparametric tests at a significance level of 0.05.RESULTS: The experimental group exhibited significantly greater improvements in all respiratory function indicators (i.e., PEF, FVC, and FEV1) and physical self-esteem than those the control group. They also exhibited significantly greater reductions in forward head posture and trunk leaning angles during gait, indicating improved postural alignment. While both groups exhibited significant reductions in horizontal center-of-gravity movement and step width, the intergroup differences were not significant. Stride length was significantly increased in the experimental group but remained unchanged in the control group. The increase in the left-stride length was significantly greater in the experimental group than that of the control group, although right-stride length exhibited no significant intergroup differences.CONCLUSIONS: The study results emphasize the effectiveness of focusing on breathing stabilization during exercise. Applying DNS diaphragmatic breathing feedback to DNS exercises demonstrated synergistic effects on respiratory function, gait parameters, and self-esteem in middle-aged women with abdominal problems.
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Kim et al. (2026) conducted an RCT in Abdominal obesity (n=36). Dynamic neuromuscular stabilization (DNS) with diaphragmatic breathing vs. DNS exercises without specific diaphragmatic breathing instructions was evaluated on Change in forced vital capacity (FVC) in liters (p=<0.001). Integrating diaphragmatic breathing with dynamic neuromuscular stabilization exercises significantly increased forced vital capacity (mean increase 1.11 L vs 0.48 L) compared to exercises without specific breathing instructions in women with abdominal obesity.
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