Context and Objectives: Respiratory muscle training (RMT) is considered an effective tool to improve cardiorespiratory limitations in athletes. The goals of this systematic review were to explore the role of RMT and its implementation within sport rehabilitation programs in para-athletes. Evidence Acquisition: Several databases were searched until January 2024. Eligible studies were independently reviewed by 2 reviewers. Quality assessment was made using the PEDro scale and version 2 of the Cochrane Risk-of-Bias Tool for Randomized Trials. Eight studies (a total of 108 participants) were selected for the analysis. Evidence Synthesis: Five studies preferred using resistive loading, while 2 studies used normocapnic hyperpnea, and 1 study used threshold inspiratory muscle training. Respiratory functions (respiratory muscle strength and endurance, spirometry measures) and exercise performance were assessed as the main outcomes. Significant increases in respiratory muscle strength were reported in 5 studies. Two studies observed improvement in respiratory muscle endurance and 3 studies reported increased exercise capacity. Conclusions: This review suggests that although RMT can enhance respiratory muscle strength and endurance, it should not be considered the primary method for boosting the exercise performance of para-athletes. Additional research is necessary to explore the impact of various RMT techniques on different outcomes from the perspective of sport rehabilitation in para-athletes.

Background: Cough is an important mechanism for secretion clearance in patients with cystic fibrosis. Aim: The primary aim of this study was to investigate the effect of expiratory muscle training (EMT) on cough capacity and secondly on respiratory muscle functions and functional exercise capacity in children and adolescents with cystic fibrosis (CF). Methods: Twenty eight patients with CF were randomized as training and sham groups. Both two groups were trained with EMT protocol that involved twice/day, for at least 5 days/week during 6 weeks. In the training group, the training intensity was 30% of the maximum expiratory pressure (MEP) and according to MEP in every two weeks. In the sham group it remained at the lowest pressure (5 cmH₂O). In the assessment, “peak flow meter” for peak cough flow (PCF), “MEP and maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP) measurements” for respiratory muscle strength, “spirometry” for pulmonary functions, and “six-minute walking test” for functional exercise capacity. Results: PCF and MEP showed greater improvement in the training group compared with sham group (p=0.04, p0.05). Conclusion: The results of the study show that EMT can use to improve peak cough flow in patients with CF.

Purpose: To assess physical activity (PA), perceived exercise benefits, perceived sleep quality, anxiety and depression levels of adults who exercised and did not exercise during the pandemic. Methods: 1226 voluntary participants who lived in the community (age range 18-55 years) were included in this cross-sectional study. Demographic information was recorded, and exercise motivators and barriers were evaluated through questions prepared by the researchers. PA levels [International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF)], perception about the benefits of exercise [Exercise Benefits and Barriers Scale-Benefits Subscale (EBBS-BS)], sleep quality [Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)], and anxiety and depression levels [Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS)] were assessed. Results: There were statistically significant differences in scores of IPAQ-SF, PSQI, EBBS-BS, and HADS between those who did and did not exercise (p

Introduction: Changes in respiratory functions negatively affect physical activity (PA) levels of patients with bronchiectasis. Therefore, detecting the most used assessments of PA is essential as determining related factors and improving PA. Aim: To investigate the PA levels, compare levels with the recommended PA guidelines, examine the determinants related to PA, and determine the outcome measurements of PA in patients with bronchiectasis. Methods: This study was conducted using databases of MEDLINE, Web of Science and PEDro. The search terms were variations of “bronchiectasis” and “physical activity”. Full texts of cross sectional studies and clinical trials were included. Two authors independently screened the studies for inclusion. Results: The initial search identified 489 studies. A hundred articles were selected for full-text review. Following the application of the eligibility process, 13 articles were included. Eleven of all studies used activity monitors and, four of them used questionnaires. The studies used activity monitors presented daily step counts. The average number of steps ranges were between 4657-9164 for adult patients in the studies. One study investigated children’s PA level reported 8229 steps/day. The functional exercise capacity, dyspnea, FEV1 and, quality of life as related determinants with PA have been reported in the studies. Conclusions: The objective measurements were frequently used in PA assessment. PA levels of patients with non-CF bronchiectasis were lower than the recommended levels. In further studies, it is needed to investigate the related determinants of PA in patients.