| Abstract [eng] |
Respiratory exercises have enormous therapeutic potential that warrants our exploration. Meanwhile, the unclear relationship between spontaneous respiratory patterns and physical fitness requires further investigation to provide additional information that can guide exercise interventions. Therefore, we conducted two experiments: the first to investigate the link between spontaneous respiratory patterns and physical fitness across various ages, and the second to examine the immediate impact of breathing exercises on muscle tension and executive function. We found that whether intentionally lowered or breathed spontaneously, a slower respiration rate is preferable for executive function. In addition, middle-aged men (aged 40–59) with a relatively lower frequency (13.8±2.75 reps/min) tend to have superior physical fitness compared to those with a higher frequency (18.3±2.27 reps/min). Furthermore, men's abdominal contribution to total respiratory movements during spontaneous breathing was not substantially linked with physical fitness, and the abdominal contributions were larger in older men than in younger men. Thus, we recommend: (1) Healthcare professionals focus on improving thoracic mobility for aging-related health issues. (2) Maintaining normal thoracic expansion during abdominal breathing is vital. (3) Slow breathing could be an effective workplace exercise method. |
