The effect of diaphragmatic breathing exercises on chest dimensions and respiratory function of sedentary lifestyle nurses

Nurses, as the largest professional group in the healthcare system, encounter many stressfulfactors at work that can put their quality of life and general health at risk; The presentstudy was conducted with the aim of investigating the effect of diaphragmatic breathingexercises on chest dimensions and respiratory function of nurses with a sedentarylifestyle. This study is a semi-experimental study and was conducted in a purposefuland random way. The statistical population of the research includes ۳۰ qualified femalenurses from Mashhad and Neyshabur, who have no history of sports activities and didnot do physical activity during their weekly schedule. This statistical population is inthe age group between ۲۵ and ۴۵ years old and has a BMI higher than ۲۵ in order toavoid interfering factors. Diaphragm breathing exercises protocol is performed for ۶weeks in ۳ training sessions and the mentioned intra-set rest from the first to the sixthweek. World Health Organization quality of life, Nordic musculoskeletal pain andDASS۲۱ questionnaires were used to collect data. The significance level obtained fromthe comparison of pre-test and post-test in respiratory function, which includes the testof breathing rate, measurement of inhaling breath holding and exhaling breath holding,is lower than the alpha error level (۰.۰۵) in all three indicators. It is concluded thatdiaphragmatic breathing exercises have a significant effect on the respiratory functionand chest dimensions of nurses with a sedentary lifestyle.

Keywords:

Breathing exercises , diaphragmatic breathing , respiratory function , sedentarylifestylenurses