복장목뿔근에 대한 수동신장운동이 폐 기능에 미치는 영향

The Effects of Passive Stretching Exercise for Sternohyoid Muscle on Pulmonary Functions

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the effects of passive stretching exercise for the sternohyoid muscle, widely known as the accessory respiratory muscle, on pulmonary function. Methods: A total of 24 female university students without neurological, musculoskeletal, or cardiopulmonary dysfunction were included in this study. The subjects were randomly assigned to experimental (n=14) and control groups (n=10). Pulmonary function was assessed before and after passive stretching exercises using a spirometer (Pony FX, COSMED Inc., Rome, Italy). The experimental group performed 10 sets of three repetitions of passive stretching exercises for the sternohyoid muscle. The control group did not perform any exercise. Results: No significant changes in forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in one second were observed in both groups. However, a significant improvement in tidal volume, inspiratory capacity, and vital capacity (VC) was observed in the experimental group after passive stretching exercises, whereas no change was observed in the control group. Additionally, a significant improvement in maximal voluntary ventilation (MVV) was observed in the experimental group, whereas no change was observed in the control group. The changes in VC and MVV were higher in the experimental group than in the control group. Conclusion: Passive stretching exercises for the sternohyoid muscle can improve pulmonary function. In particular, they are effective in improving VC and MVV.