Effect of respiratory muscle training in patients with neuromuscular diseases and in normals.

In order to evaluate the possible effects of respiratory muscle training in patients with neuromuscular disease, we trained a group of 12 patients and 6 normal subjects for 8 weeks with 4 weeks of strength training and 4 weeks of endurance training of the respiratory muscles. We measured static and dynamic lung volumes and maximal expiratory flows in a whole-body plethysmograph and endurance in an original set-up. The main finding was a significant rise in vital capacity and respiratory muscle endurance in the patient group; therefore, daily specific training of the respiratory muscles can improve strength and endurance in patients with neuromuscular diseases as well as in normal subjects.