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Wearable Resistance Vest for Strengthening Respiratory Muscles
Sponsor: King Abdulaziz University
Summary
Respiratory muscle weakness significantly limits functional capacity in various populations, yet conventional respiratory muscle training (RMT) often requires coached, mouthpiece-based maneuvers that may be limited by technique and adherence. This proof-of-concept study evaluated the physiological efficacy of a novel, low-cost wearable resistance vest designed to provide continuous circumferential thoracic loading during spontaneous breathing to improve respiratory muscle strength in healthy adult males.
Official title: Effects of a Novel Wearable Resistance Vest for Strengthening Respiratory Muscles: A Proof-of-Concept Study in Healthy Adult Males
Key Details
Gender
MALE
Age Range
18 Years - 65 Years
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
21
Start Date
2025-02-02
Completion Date
2025-05-05
Last Updated
2026-07-13
Healthy Volunteers
Yes
Conditions
Interventions
Wearable Resistance Vest
A custom-designed wearable resistance vest developed to provide continuous circumferential thoraco-abdominal loading during spontaneous breathing. The vest consists of a stretchable outer garment with a front zipper and internally mounted latex-free elastic resistance bands (TheraBand®, medium resistance) providing approximately 1.7 kg of circumferential resistance. Each vest was individually calibrated to approximately 95% of the participant's thoracic circumference at functional residual capacity using adjustable lateral straps and a posterior Velcro panel to standardize the applied load. Participants wore the vest during routine daily activities (excluding sleep and vigorous exercise) for progressively increasing durations of 60 minutes/day during Week 1, 90 minutes/day during Week 2, and 120 minutes/day during Week 3.
Locations (1)
King Abdulaziz University
Jeddah, Mecca Region, Saudi Arabia