1Assistant Professor, Banarsidas Chandiwala Institute of Physiotherapy, Kalkaji, New Delhi
2Statistical Consultant, Institute for Data Computing and Training, Lucknow (UP), India
Amongst the various tests for flows and volumes, Maximum Voluntary Ventilation (MVV) is a parameter that reflects lung volume changes, respiratory muscle functioning, compliance of the thorax lung complex and airway resistance. The MVV is defined as the maximum amount of air that a healthy subject can breathe over a specified period of time i.e. 12 seconds and is expressed in L/min. In certain circumstances where the diaphragm and other Inspiratory muscles are subjected to an excessive load or are fatigued, the role of expiratory muscles in contributing to ventilation and supporting Inspiratory muscle function could be significant. Moreover, abdominal muscle loading has been shown to contribute to an increased effort sensation & this intensification of dyspnoea in circumstances where the abdominal muscles are heavily recruited could also be of clinical significance because it may contribute to exercise intolerance.
Our aim was thus to establish the importance of abdominal muscle training in pulmonary rehabilitation by demonstrating the effect of Abdominal muscle fatigue on the 12-s maximum voluntary ventilation (MVV).
The Study Design was Experimental and 21 healthy physiotherapy students. Spirometry MVV manoeuvre was performed as per ERS guidelines & ACSM protocol was used to establish the abdominal muscle fatigue. Pre and post MVV values were recorded.
The MVV level of all subjects at baseline had a mean of 104.50 ± 12.31 L/min while after intervention it decreased and had a mean of 100.06 ± 10.94 L/min.
It was concluded that implementing a primary non respiratory activity (sit ups) has an effect on the Maximum Voluntary Ventilation in normal subjects.
Abdominal Muscle, fatigue, MVV
