Lung Function and Six Minute Walk Distance Response to Inspiratory Muscle Training in Cotton Industry Workers-A Pilot Study

Cotton industry workers are more prone to exposure to cotton dust which causes acute respiratory responses such as chest tightness, bronchoconstriction and respiratory disease including byssinosis. These symptoms make changes on lung function and functional activities. Physical activity includes respiratory muscle strengthening and training larger group of muscles plays an important role in health outcomes to improve pulmonary ventilation capacity, exercise capacity and decreased in dyspnea. So the purpose of this study was to find the effect of inspiratory muscle trainer on lung function and six min walk distance (6MWD) in cotton industry worker

30 cotton industry workers between the age group (30–55 years) were randomly selected and assigned randomly into two equal groups; group-A received aerobic training and group-B received aerobic training and inspiratory muscle training for 4 times per week for 4 weeks. Pulmonary function, 6MWD and quality of life were used to measures before and after a training program.

Lung function was not significantly (p>0.01) improved in group A while in group B improved significantly (p<0.01) except forced vital capacity. Comparison between both groups was statistically (p>0.01) not improved. 6MWD was improved significantly (p<0.01) in both groups but between the groups was not improved.

Outcomes from this preliminary study were encouraging. Inspiratory muscle trainer produced significant improvement in 6MWD and lung function except forced vital capacity. Further research is required to examine the effect of inspiratory muscle trainer on a larger scale.