Reduction in Blood Pressure can ocur with Inspirational Breathing Exercises

A simple device was used whereby a water bottle with an inhalation mouthpiece and an air intake straw was used. The straw was 20cm deep inside the water to obtain the required resistance. Training duration was for 30 minutes per day.

The mechanism of action has been suggested to be improved sympathetic tone. It would also be interesting to hypothesis that the lateral expansion of the ribcage, through the engagement of the diaphragm, results in the drawing upward and outward the myofascia of the Psoas Major, taking some pressure off the deep abdominal blood vessels such as the vena cava.

The diaphragm is a large muscle, occupying a large area of the abdominal cavity, sitting immediately in front of the sympathetic soleus plexus and adjacent to the splanchnic arterial and venous system

Exercise and Age-Related Decline in Arterial Vasodilation

Ageing has been associated with reduced arterial vasodilation and hypertension. Elevation of free oxygen radicals are thought to inactivate Nitrous Oxide (NO). Using a severe hand-gripping model, Shoemaker et al (Am J Physiol, 1997; 273, H23488-95) were able to demonstrate 7% vasodilation in young subjects versus only 3% brachial vasodilation in older individuals. Anecdotal evidence supporting the use of oral antioxidant supplementation comes from Japanese, Scandinavian and Italian populations where a high incidence of centenarians has been associated with diet. However, the use of oral antioxidants alone, in the abscence of exercise, has not been shown to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Paradoxically, administration of high levels of Vitamin C after exercise seem to reduce the vasodilatory effect of exercise, suggesting some positive 'down-stream'  effects of oxygen free radicals on cardiovascular health (Wry et al 2011, Exerc & Sp Sci Rev, 39, 2, 68-76). Alternatively, the chronic balance of oxygen free radicals and their complementary antioxidants may be more important, suggesting regular exercise and dietry function rather than extremes of either are more significant contributors to cardiovascular health. Investigations, using small muscle mass oxidative stress such as knee extension training, which have minimal central cardiovascular responses, have demonstrated positive cardiovascular effects on blood pressure function (Richardson et al 2004, Am J Resp Crit Care Med, 169, 1, 89-96; Shephard et al 1997, Sports Medicine, 23, 2, 75-92). Such findings are important in subjects with central cardiovascular compromise, but moreover have an impact on exercise adherence where subjects do not enjoy whole body high oxidative stress exercise. Furthermore, although blood pressure wasn't shown to be effected by acute antioxidant supplementation, the muscle perfusion post exercise was 30-40% greater in the older individuals receiving supplementation (Wry et al 2009, Clin Sci (Lond.), 116, 5, 433-41). Moreover, phosphate markers of post exercise skeletal muscle energetics suggests further positive benefits of antioxidant supplementation in older individuals (Wry et all 2011, Exerc & Sp Sci Rev, 39, 2, 68-76). Therefore, regardless of the reduction in perfusion during exercise, post exercise effects of antioxidant supplemenation and the known increased functional capacity of trained individuals suggest efficient physiological musculoskeletal compensation, to mitigate against the aging process.

Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Muscular Strength on Arterial Stiffness in Older Adults

Increased Muscular Strength has been found to be associated with reduced Arterial Stiffness in older individuals Further, positive correlations were found for superior cardiovascular endurance, however superior strength was even more significant (Albin et al 2020, Med Sc Sp Ex, 52, 8, 1737-1744)

See elsewhere on this site for more information on Sarcopenia and Mitochondrial Health : https://www.back-in-business-physiotherapy.com/latest-news/239-mitochondrial-health-and-sarcopenia.html

Effect of inspiratory muscle training on exercise tolerance in asthmatic individuals.

Inspiratory muscle training has been shown to attenuate inspiratory muscle fatigue, reduces the perception of dyspnea, and increases exercise tolerance in people with mild to moderate asthma (FEV>70%). Training consisted of 30 inspiratory breaths, twice a day using a PowerBreathe device, at a pressure thtreshold 50 % of PImax, for 6 weeks. Turner et al (2011, Med Sci in Sp Ex, 43, 11, 2031-2038) findings included an increase in inspiratory muscle strength of 27%. Other investigations have demonstrated these results could be due to an increased thickness of the diaphragm as well as hypertrophy (Downey et al 2007 Resp Physiol Neurobiol, 156, 2, 137-146) of type I and type II external intercostal muscles (Ramirez-Sarmiento et al 2002, Am J Respir Crit Care Medicine, 166, 11, 1491-1497). Pulmonary function (FEV1 and FVC) weren't shown to change after 6 weeks of training, but have been shown to improve by 12% after 3-6 months of training amongst individuals with moderate to severe asthma (Weiner et al 2000, Chest, 117, 3, 722-727). Frequently, individuals with asthma have a reduction in exercise tolerance due to expiratory flow limitation and dynamic hyperinflation (EELV). The investigation by Turner et al (2011) demonstrated that this affect was attenuated at both the onset of exercise and during exercise, which likely explains the improved oxygen consumption seen in the inspiratory trained individuals. Deep inspiration amongst individuals with asthma commonly results in a 'latched state' of smooth muscle stiffness and bronchial constriction. In contrast, deep inhalation with a pressure loading seems to release the 'latched state' resulting in less bronchoconstriction (How et al 2009, Respir Physiol Neurobiol, 166, 3, 159-163).

Inspiratory muscle training (IMT) in people suffering from type 2 diabetes with inspiratory muscle weakness

It has been demonstrated that 29% of people with type 2 diabetes present with inspiratory muscle weakness. After 8 weeks of training it was shown that IMT significantly increases inpiratory muscle pressure by 118% and the inspiratory muscle endurance time by 495% (Correa et al 2011, 43, 7, 1135 - 1141). This result is particularly important as the sensation of perceived breathlessness can be a significant negating factor in peoples adherence to exercise. Since, exercise is such an important aspect of improving the morbidity of type 2 diabetes then training program design needs to consider IMT in their exericise prescription.

IMT has been shown to improve proprioception (sense of joint position) in people with low back pain

In a previous investigation it was shown that individuals with recurrent nonspecific low back pain (LBP) and healthy individuals breathing against an inspiratory load decrease their reliance on back proprioceptive signals in upright standing. Because individuals with LBP show greater susceptibility to diaphragm fatigue, it is reasonable to hypothesize that LBP, diaphragm dysfunction, and proprioceptive use may be interrelated. After 8 wk of high IMT, individuals with LBP showed an increased reliance on back proprioceptive signals during postural control and improved inspiratory muscle strength and severity of LBP, not seen after low IMT. Hence, IMT may facilitate the proprioceptive involvement of the trunk in postural control in individuals with LBP and thus might be a useful rehabilitation tool for these patients. (Lotte et al, Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise:January 2015 - Volume 47 - Issue 1 - p 12–19)

Habituation of the early pain-sensitivity respiratory response in sustained pain.

 Respiratory rate appears to be habitually high in the chronic pain state (from 13.2Hz to 17.7Hz)  (Kato et al (2001) Pain, 91, 57 - 63)

• the pre Boetzinger brainstem complex appears to be the target for pro-nociception and anti-nociception input
• this may be significant in terms of the scalene muscles and thoracic outlet syndrome, thoracic spine posture and mobility; or in the case of diaphragmatic breathing, the lumbothoracic stability and rhythm
• additionally, alterations in sympathetic nervous system activity may be expected

At Back In Business Physiotherapy we have been recommending people commence using such a strategy as resistance breathing using Power Breath apparatus, to help improve peoples blood pressure problems. Furthermore, we have recommended it's use in clients with Low back Pain to improve diaphragmatic lateral expansion, core stability and the engagement of the pelvic floor muscles.

Reference

Jones CU, Sangthong B, Pachirat O (2010) An inspiratory load enhances the antihypertensive effects of home-based training with slow deep breathing: a randomised trial. Journal of Physiotherapy 56: 179–186 

Updated: 10 July 2021