Effectiveness Of Structured Strengthening Protocol Of Thoracic Opener Muscles In Chronic Smokers
Abstract
Background: Chronic smoking impairs pulmonary function by altering respiratory mechanics and reducing thoracic mobility due to postural changes and muscular fatigue. Strengthening thoracic opener muscles may counteract these effects by enhancing chest wall mobility and respiratory efficiency.
Objective: To evaluate the effect of an 8-week structured strengthening protocol targeting thoracic opener muscles on pulmonary function in chronic smokers.
Methods: Twenty chronic smokers aged 30–50 years participated in this experimental study. Participants underwent a thrice-weekly, 45-minute structured exercise program focusing on thoracic opener muscles. Pulmonary function was assessed using Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 Second (FEV₁), FEV₁/FVC ratio, and Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR) before and after the intervention.
Results: Statistically significant improvements were observed in all outcome measures post-intervention: FEV₁ increased from 2.10 ± 0.35 L to 2.45 ± 0.38 L (p = 0.0002), FVC from 2.90 ± 0.42 L to 3.35 ± 0.40 L (p = 0.0001), FEV₁/FVC ratio from 72.4 ± 5.8% to 75.6 ± 6.0% (p = 0.004), and PEFR from 315 ± 40 L/min to 370 ± 45 L/min (p < 0.0001).
Conclusion: The structured thoracic opener muscle strengthening protocol significantly enhanced pulmonary function in chronic smokers. These findings support the inclusion of targeted physiotherapy in pulmonary rehabilitation strategies to mitigate smoking-related respiratory decline.
Downloads
References
Muscles of respiration, https://www.physio-pedia.com/Muscles_of_Respiration
Ahmad M AL-Bashaireh , Linda G Haddad , Michael Weaver , Debra Lynch Kelly , Xing Chengguo , Saunjoo Yoon, The Effect of Tobacco Smoking on Musculoskeletal Health: A Systematic review, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6077562/
Joseph M. Flaherty , James M. Smoliga , Gerald S. Zavorsky, The effect of increased physical activity on pulmonary diffusing capacity in unfit women, https://physoc.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1113/expphysiol.2013.076406
Anand Mistry , Rajula Tyagi , Jaydeep Kagathara , Lopa Vaidya , Urja Dholakiya , Chirag Shah, Comparative Study of Pulmonary Function Tests in Smokers and Non-Smokers, https://gcsmc.org/assets/pdf/journal/journal-1223/original-article/comparative-study-of-pulmonary-function-tests-in-smokers-and-non-smokers201810051538023807370.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Joshua Sill , MD, The effects of smoking on pulmonary function testing, https://journal.chestnet.org/article/S0012-3692%2816%2901235-6/fulltext
Neha sharma , Balija Satya Sree , Asir John Samuel, A randomized clinical trial in improving pulmonary function and functional capacity in pediatric open abdominal surgery, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0022346820302670
Enright SJ, Unnithan VB, Heward C, et al., Effect of high-intensity inspiratory muscle training on lung volumes, diaphragm thickness, and exercise capacity in subjects who are healthy. Phys Ther, 2006, 86: 345–354, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16506871/
Mingzhen Li, Wei Gao, The impact of smoking on respiratory rehabilitation efficacy and correlation analysis in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a retrospective study, The impact of smoking on respiratory rehabilitation efficacy and correlation analysis in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a retrospective study - Li - Journal of Thoracic Disease
Bambang Dwiputra, Ade Meidian Ambari, Basuni Radi, The home-based breathing and chest mobility exercise improves cardiorespiratory functional capacity in long COVID with cardiovascular comorbidities: a randomized study, The home-based breathing and chest mobility exercise improves cardiorespiratory functional capacity in long COVID with cardiovascular comorbidities: a randomized study | BMC Cardiovascular Disorders | Full Text
Amy Y.Y. Tsui a, Rosanna M.W. Chau a,Gladys L.Y. Cheing b, Thomas Y.W. Mok c, S.O. Ling c, Candy H.Y. Kwan c, Sharon M.H. Tsang, Effect of chest wall mobilization on respiratory muscle function in patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): A randomized controlled trial, Effect of chest wall mobilization on respiratory muscle function in patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): A randomized controlled trial - ScienceDirect
Yasmeen Alaa Abd El-Hamied,Mohamed Ibrahim Abd El-Megied ,Mahmoud Mohamed El-Batanouny, Mina Nashaat Halim, Howida Abd El- Aleem Fouda, Effect of Buteyko Breathing Exercise Combined with Postural Stability Exercises on Oxygen Saturation in Young Adult Smokers, Effect of Buteyko Breathing Exercise Combined with Postural Stability Exercises on Oxygen Saturation in Young Adult Smokers | Journal of Neonatal Surgery
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Sakshi Sachin Kadam, Mandar Malawade
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
You are free to:
- Share — copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format
- Adapt — remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially.
Terms:
- Attribution — You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use.
- No additional restrictions — You may not apply legal terms or technological measures that legally restrict others from doing anything the license permits.
