Mapping the Evidence on Abdominal Weight Training for Respiratory Muscle Strength: A Scoping Review

TL;DR

This review explores how abdominal weight training can strengthen respiratory muscles and improve breathing in patients with respiratory issues.

Contribution

The study provides a synthesis of evidence on the clinical potential of abdominal weight training for respiratory muscle rehabilitation.

Findings

AWT improves maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressures in patients with respiratory conditions.

AWT enhances diaphragmatic function and may improve ventilator weaning rates.

Current evidence is limited by few studies and inconsistent protocols.

Abstract

This scoping review synthesized evidence on abdominal weight training (AWT), a non-invasive method for respiratory muscle rehabilitation that increases diaphragmatic load, to evaluate its clinical significance. We specifically summarized its effects on respiratory muscle strength, measured by maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) and maximal expiratory pressure (MEP), diaphragmatic function, and patient outcomes, including ventilator weaning. A systematic search of MEDLINE, CENTRAL, and Web of Science databases conducted on March 13, 2025, identified five studies meeting the inclusion criteria: one randomized trial, two comparative trials, one crossover trial, and one experimental study. Participants included patients with prolonged mechanical ventilation or chronic respiratory failure as well as healthy adults.

The findings indicated that AWT is associated with improved MIP and MEP and enhanced diaphragmatic function in patients with compromised respiratory health. Furthermore, clinical benefits such as improved ventilator weaning rates have been reported, with evidence suggesting that AWT can effectively retrain diaphragmatic breathing patterns. Although AWT appears to be a promising intervention for improving respiratory muscle strength and function in specific populations, the limited number of studies and heterogeneous protocols underscore the need for well-designed trials to standardize training regimens and confirm clinical efficacy.

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