| Abstract |
Habitual abnormal postures, such as forward head posture, rounded shoulders, and decreased lumbar lordosis,
can adversely affect respiratory function by limiting thoracic rib cage expansion and lung capacity. This study aimed to
investigate the immediate effects of a single session of Mckenzie exercises on respiratory function and respiratory muscle.
Methods: Eighteen young adults (mean age, 24.22 ± 2.415), including 4 men and 14 women, participated in the study.
Spirometry tests were conducted before and after the single exercise session, which consisted of two types of Mckenzie
exercises performed in 20 repetitions each. Forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), FEV1/FVC
ratio, and peak expiratory flow (PEF) were measured to evaluate respiratory function, and maximal inspiratory pressure
(MIP), maximal expiratory pressure (MEP) were measured to assess respiratory muscle strength. Paired-sample t-tests
were employed to analyze the significance of respiratory measurements pre- and post-Mckenzie exercises, with a
significance level set at 0.05. Results: A significant increase in MIP was found after Mckenzie exercises (p=.012),
indicating improved inspiratory muscle strength. However, no significant changes were observed in FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC,
PEF, and MEP. Conclusion: Mckenzie exercises, designed to stretch respiratory muscles and correct thoracic rib cage
alignment through spinal extension, demonstrated an immediate positive effect on MIP. Therefore, Mckenzie exercises
could be considered a valuable chest expansion exercise in respiratory rehabilitation programs. More studies are
warranted to explore the potential long-term effects of Mckenzie exercises on respiratory function and respiratory muscle
strength.
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