• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.17-24
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• 2011

Background : Pulmonary rehabilitation, called pulmonary rehab or PR, is a broad program that helps improve the well-being of people who have chronic (ongoing) breathing problems. Purpose : The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the effects of the upper abdominal exercise and balloon blow-up on the abdominal muscle strength and Respiratory ability for 20's adults. Method : Recruited Subjects were healthy students attending H university. Twenty-one subjects who agreed to participate in this study were randomly assigned to 3 groups; I group applied upper abdominal exercise, IIgroup applied balloon blow-up, III group applied both upper abdominal exercises and balloon blow-ups. Upper abdominal muscle exercises was applied supine position and $30^{\circ}{\sim}40^{\circ}$ in the upper body lift braced for about 3 seconds, and balloon blow-ups was performed 10 times a day. The exercise programs were performed three times a week for 5 weeks. Results: After 5 weeks of exercises, all three groups were comparable with abdominal muscle strength and respiratory ability. Subjects in upper abdominal exercise group, balloon blow-ups group, and upper abdominal exercises and balloon blow-ups group had significantly increased the average of abdominal muscle strength(p<.05) The statistical comparison among the groups indicated that there was a signigicant increase in respiratory ability. In comparison of abdominal muscle strength and respiratory ability, there were no significant differences among 3 groups. Conclusions: These findings suggest that upper abdominal exercises and balloon blow-ups may have a significant impact in abdominal muscle strength and respiratory ability.