Authors: Professor B. R. Shaalini
Abstract: Background: Chronic cigarette smoking induces systemic pathophysiological changes, leading to respiratory muscle deconditioning, impaired pulmonary ventilation, and peripheral muscle fatigue. While Inspiratory Muscle Training (IMT) targets central ventilatory drive, progressive resistance training addresses systemic deconditioning. Aim: To evaluate the combined effectiveness of Inspiratory Muscle Training and DeLorme progressive resistance exercise on respiratory muscle strength, pulmonary function, and functional capacity in active smokers. Methods: This pre-post experimental study enrolled 30 active young adult smokers (aged 20–40 years; mean smoking history: 5.4 ± 1.8 pack-years). Participants underwent a structured 6-week intervention consisting of targeted IMT using a threshold resistance device (40–60% of Maximal Inspiratory Pressure [MIP], 20 min/day, 5 days/week) and DeLorme progressive resistance exercise focused on the bilateral quadriceps femoris muscle groups (3 sets of 10 repetitions at 50%, 75%, and 100% of 10-Repetition Maximum [10RM], 5 days/week). Outcome measures included MIP, spirometric parameters (FEV1, FVC, MVV), functional capacity via the Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT), and exertional dyspnea via the Borg CR10 Scale. Pre- and post-intervention data were analyzed using a paired t-test. Results: Following the 6-week training protocol, participants demonstrated statistically significant improvements across all primary and secondary parameters (p < 0.001). MIP increased from 68.4 ± 7.2 cmH2O to 84.6 ± 6.8 cmH2O, and 6MWT distance improved by a mean of 74.2 meters. Exertional dyspnea on the Borg scale decreased significantly from 5.8 ± 1.1 to 3.2 ± 0.9. Conclusion: Integrating IMT with DeLorme progressive peripheral resistance exercise significantly enhances respiratory muscle strength, functional exercise tolerance, and ventilatory efficiency in active smokers. This dual-component approach addresses both central respiratory limitations and peripheral skeletal muscle deconditioning.
