Inspiratory muscle training improves respiratory muscle strength and the peak expiratory flow in hypertensive elderly women

Abstract

Introduction: The aging process brings changes to the cardiovascular system, increasing the prevalence of hypertension and reducing the respiratory muscle strength. Objectives: To assess the effects of a home-based inspiratory muscle training (IMT) on pulmonary function, respiratory muscle strength and distance walked in 6-minute walk test (6MWT) in hypertensive elderly women. Methods: Sixteen women with clinical diagnosis of hypertension were divided into two groups. Eight participated in the intervention group (IG) and were subjected to the home-based IMT during six weeks, and the others composed the control group (CG). Results: At the end of the IMT, we found out the increase of maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP), -47±13 cmH20 to -92±32 cmH20 (p<0.001), the maximal expiratory pressure (MEP), 45±6 cmH20 to 84±24 cmH20 (p<0.001), and the peak expiratory flow (PEF), 211.6±60 l/min to 248.8±58 l/min (p=0.004). Conclusions: The home-based IMT daily performed for six weeks improves the respiratory muscle strength and in the PEF in hypertensive elderly women.