Are you aware of the implications of the fact that the muscles involved in respiration are also involved in core stability as well as other upper body movements and exercises. Research has demonstrated that exercising to increase the strength and endurance of the respiratory muscles can benefit back pain, balance and falls, artistic and athletic performance as well as address breathing difficulties caused by chromic conditions such as COPD and ageing. These insights are among the many offered by Prof. Alison McConnell in this fascinating interview recorded as part of this months Physiopedia Member’s area learn topic on breathing disorders and respiratory muscle training.
Alison is a Professor of Applied Physiology at Brunel University London. She has been investigating the role and benefits of respiratory muscle training since the mid 1990s, leading countless related research studies and also pioneering the development of respiratory training devices with the launch of the POWERbreathe.
We recommend that you make yourself a cup of coffee, make yourself comfortable and listen to this interview with an internationally recognised expert and spend some time considering the implications for your own clinical practice.
Respiratory muscle training: theory and practice is a book published May 2013 and authored by Prof. Alison McConnell. Chapter 4 “Functional benefits of respiratory muscle training” and Chapter 5 “Methods of respiratory muscle training” are both exclusively available to Physiopedia Members in this month’s learn topic.
Other useful links
- Prof. Alison McConnell’s details at the Brunel University, London including research interests and a list of research publications.
- PhysioBreath website that supports her new book Respiratory Muscle Training.
- Breathe Strong website that supports her book focused on respiratory training for athletic performance.
- POWERbreathe which sells the respiration training devices originally developed by Alison.