Exploring the effect of aerobic exercises on lung function, chest movement, and exercise capacity in women suffering from fibromyalgia.
Eighty women with fibromyalgia will be equally randomly assigned to the experimental (EX) group and the control group (CON). The participants' age will be between 30 and 40 years and they will have mild restrictive lung affection. The Ex group will attend 3 sessions/week of aerobic training at moderate intensity combined with diaphragmatic breathing exercises for 12 weeks, the CON will only attend 3 sessions/week of diaphragmatic breathing exercises for 12 weeks. The lung functions will be assessed by the spirometry testing. The chest expansion will be determined using a tape measurement. Additionally, exercise capacity will be tested using cardiopulmonary exercise testing protocol. All the outcomes will be examined at baseline, and after 12 weeks of the intervention.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
80
For twelve weeks, the women in the study group will participate in aerobic training on cycle ergometer. Each session will consist of 30-45 minutes of cycling at a moderate intensity, accompanied by a workout heart rate ranging from 65% to 75% of the maximal heart rate and ranging between 12 and 14 on the Borg rating of perceived exertion 20-point scale. After ten minutes of warm-up, every session will end with a brief 3-minute period of cool-down.
From the hook-lying position, the women will receive instructions to position their hands on the rectus abdominis muscle located under the anterior chest wall. They will be advised to inhale slowly and deeply, expanding their abdomen without causing any movement in their upper chest, while simultaneously relaxing their shoulders. Slowly, the women will expel every breath. Air will be inhaled via the nose, swelling the abdomen. After the breath ceased, the women will purse her lips and exhale from his mouth with half-opened lips and a hollow belly. A single respiratory cycle consists of a three-second intake, followed by a three-second pause, and concluding with a six-second expiration phase.
Lung function
Ventilatory function parameters, including forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in the first second will be measured by experienced technicians at baseline and after 12 weeks in all groups using the Medgraphics pulmonary function testing system (Breezesuite Ultima PFX, Milano, Italy) in strict adherence to the guidelines outlined in the user manual.
Time frame: At baseline and 12 weeks
Chest expansion
A centimeter tape measure will be used to assess chest expansion, and all measurements will be taken with the patients adopting a straight posture while standing. Two levels of chest expansion will be measured, the axillary level will be evaluated for upper chest expansion assessment, and the xyphoid level will be evaluated for lower chest expansion assessment.
Time frame: At baseline and 12 weeks
Exercise capacity
Cardiopulmonary exercise test will be conducted for all women at baseline and post-study based on the guidelines set by the American College of Sports Medicine to determine VO2max for each women.
Time frame: At baseline and 12 weeks
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