Respiratory Muscle Strength Training

Excerpt

Respiratory muscle strength training (RMST) comprises exercises and techniques designed to enhance the strength and endurance of respiratory muscles, such as the diaphragm and intercostal muscles. Various disorders affect the respiratory system and may, directly or indirectly, cause dysfunction of either inspiration, expiration, or both. RMST exercises are particularly beneficial for athletes but are often employed as a treatment or rehabilitation tool for patients with respiratory conditions that affect respiratory muscles, such as critical illness, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, or respiratory muscle weakness. RMST can also be paired with other forms of pulmonary rehabilitation to remedy respiratory dysfunction and improve clinical outcomes. This article reviews the physiology, types of different respiratory muscle training, the indications and contraindications for RMST, and discusses relevant clinical significance for adult patients.