TITLE:
Effects of Water Immersion in Different Water Depths on Respiratory Function and Respiratory Muscle Strength among Elderly People: An Observational Study
AUTHORS:
Yoshihiro Yamashina, Tomoko Hirayama, Hiroki Aoyama, Hirofumi Hori, Emiko Morita, Nami Sakagami, Wataru Nanikawa, Shigeru Terada, Masahiro Goto, Kazuyuki Tabira
KEYWORDS:
Respiratory Functions, Respiratory Muscle Strength, Water Immersion, Elderly People
JOURNAL NAME:
Advances in Aging Research,
Vol.10 No.4,
July
5,
2021
ABSTRACT: The aim
was to investigate the effect of three water levels (umbilical, 4th rib, and clavicular) on the respiratory function and respiratory muscle
strength among elderly. Spirometry and respiratory strength were measured on
land as baseline data. Next, water depth conditions were determined randomly,
and spirometry and respiratory muscle strength were measured at each water
level. The Vital Capacity and Expiratory reserve volume in the clavicular level
were significantly lower than those in the land and umbilical trials. No
significant difference was observed in other respiratory functions. Chest
circumference and respiratory muscle strength were not significantly different
among all conditions.