Sürdürülebilir Kalkınma Amaçları
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- MakaleAçık Erişim2026Short-Term Inspiratory Muscle Training Enhances Functional and Metabolic Health in Older Adults
Konca, Erkan; Yilmaz, Coskun; Bayrakdaroglu, Serdar; Ceylan, Halil Ibrahim; Arslan, Ayla; Ocak, Hakan; Karakulak, Izzet; Sari, Rifat; Uzun, Recep Nur; Soylu, Hakan Huseyin
Background: Age-related declines in respiratory muscle strength and ventilatory efficiency can impair functional capacity and metabolic health in older adults. Inspiratory muscle training (IMT) has been proposed as a practical intervention to counteract these changes, yet its systemic effects remain unclear. This study aimed to examine the effects of short-term IMT on functional capacity, diaphragm thickness, and liver tissue characteristics in healthy elderly men. Methods: Thirty community-dwelling men aged 60-80 years were randomly assigned to an IMT or control group. The IMT group performed four weeks of breathing exercises using a POWERbreathe (R) device at 40% of maximal inspiratory pressure, with a weekly 10% increase in pressure. Pre- and post-intervention assessments included the six-minute walk test (6MWT), diaphragm thickness and liver density via computed tomography, and quality of life (QoL; SF-12). Results: Four weeks of inspiratory muscle training significantly improved diaphragm thickness (11.7%), fatty liver density (FLD) (+16.7%), and six-minute walk performance (+5.3%), with large time x group effects favoring the IMT group. While the physical quality of life showed modest, comparable improvements, mental health outcomes demonstrated a moderate, time-dependent improvement without a significant group-by-time interaction. Conclusions: Short-term IMT improved diaphragmatic function and functional capacity in older men and was associated with favorable changes in a liver-related biomarker; however, given that only a single liver-related metric was assessed, these findings should not be interpreted as evidence of overall improvements in liver health.
- MakaleAçık Erişim2025EFFECT OF TRAPEZIUS MUSCLE THICKNESS ON THE ONE-REPETITION MAXIMUM (1RM) STRENGTH
Yilmaz, Coskun; Ceylan, Tulay; Altunbas, Adem; Soylu, Hakan Huseyin; Kavuran, Korhan; Söyler, Mehmet
Purpose: The objective of this study was to examine the impact of trapezius muscle thickness measurements on bench press single repetition maximum (1RM) power output. Material and Methods: The study included 13 male bodybuilders who participated in national and international professional natural bodybuilding competitions and 13 healthy sedentary male subjects. Body composition, 1RM values and ultrasonographic measurements of trapezius muscle thickness were obtained from the participants. Results: The findings revealed that both the skin-to-superficial muscle tissue (R1, L1) and skin-to-deep fascia (R2, L2) distances were significantly lower in sedentary individuals compared to bodybuilders (p<0.001). Additionally, 1RM strength output was significantly higher in bodybuilders than in sedentary individuals. In sedentary individuals, a moderate negative correlation was observed between the distance between superficial muscle and 1RM, and a low positive correlation was observed between the distance between deep fascia and skin surface. In contrast, a low negative correlation was found in both parameters in bodybuilders. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that trapezius muscle thickness is significantly lower in sedentary individuals compared to bodybuilders, both in superficial and deep tissue layers. We believe that the skin surface imaging method used in our study could be an effective tool for predicting injuries in athletes. Additionally, we believe that regular imaging follow-ups in athletes could provide important information about adaptations in muscle structures resulting from applied training stimuli.
- MakaleAçık Erişim2025Effect of Inspiratory Muscle Training on Diaphragm and Abdominal Wall Muscle Thickness with Fatty Liver Density in Elderly Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Gökçelik, Eda; Yilmaz, Coskun; Budak, Cemallettin; Soylu, Hakan Huseyin; Bayrakdaroglu, Serdar; Ceylan, Halil Ibrahim; Muntean, Raul Ioan; Küçük, Hamza; Ceylan, Levent
Background and Objectives: Post-menopausal estrogen decline is considered a contributing factor to sarcopenia, and inspiratory muscle training (IMT) may provide benefits in this demographic. This study examined the impact of a four-week IMT program on diaphragm thickness, abdominal wall muscle thickness (AWMT; transversus abdominis, internal oblique, and external oblique), and liver fat percentage in healthy elderly women. Materials and Methods: Twenty-six women aged 60-80 years were randomly assigned to an IMT group (n = 13) or a control group (n = 13). The IMT group used the PowerBreathe (R) Classic device at 40% of maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP), with weekly increments of 10%. Training was performed twice daily, five days per week, with 30 breathing cycles per session (60 per day). The control group maintained their usual routines. AWMT, diaphragm thickness (DT), and fatty liver density (FLD) were measured by a radiologist before and after the intervention. Results: After four weeks, the IMT group showed significant improvements in all parameters compared to controls. Mid-diaphragm thickness (MDT) increased by 11.44% (effect size (ES) = 0.358, p < 0.001) versus 0.76% in controls (p = 0.271). Posterior diaphragm thickness (PDT) improved by 7.48% (ES = 0.282, p < 0.001) versus 0.38% (p = 0.564). Right AWMT increased by 12.7% (ES = 0.492, p < 0.001) compared to 0.10% (p = 0.872), and left AWMT increased by 9.93% (ES = 0.395, p < 0.001) versus 2.64% (p = 0.014). FLD improved by 11.79% (ES = 0.959, p < 0.001) in the IMT group, while the control group showed no meaningful change (-0.13%, p = 0.847). Conclusions: A short-term IMT protocol significantly enhanced diaphragm and AWMT and reduced liver fat in elderly women. These findings support the use of IMT as a simple, non-invasive intervention to preserve musculoskeletal and metabolic health in aging populations.
- MakaleAçık Erişim2025Short-term resistance training enhances functional and physiological markers in older women: implications for biomechanical and health interventions in aging
Uçar, Mine Akkus; Yilmaz, Coskun; Soylu, Hakan Huseyin; Sariakçali, Baris; Budak, Cemalettin; Kavuran, Korhan; Durmusoglu, Mehmet Vakif; Ceylan, Levent
Background: The impact of resistance training extends beyond the enhancement of muscle strength, encompassing improvements in physical performance, postural stability, and overall functional capacity. This study aimed to investigate the effects of a 4-week resistance training program on functional capacity, respiratory muscle strength, diaphragm thickness, and liver density in healthy older women. Methods: The study included 30 healthy women aged 60-80 years and was designed as a randomized controlled experimental trial. Participants were randomly assigned to a resistance training (RT) group or a control (CON) group. Each participant attended the laboratory on three occasions: during the initial visit, the study procedures were explained; the second visit involved baseline assessments (6MWT, diaphragm thickness and liver fat via ultrasound, and respiratory muscle strength); and final measurements were conducted after the 4-week training programme during the third visit. Results: When pre- and post-training measurements were compared, the resistance training (RT) group demonstrated a significantly greater improvement (8.02%) in the Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) distance compared to the control group (p < 0.001). In terms of diaphragm thickness (DT), the RT group showed a 16.66% increase, whereas the control group exhibited a 1.13% decrease (p < 0.001). Maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) increased by 12.30% in the RT group, while it decreased by 7.25% in the control group, indicating a 19.55% greater improvement in the RT group (p < 0.001). Regarding maximal expiratory pressure (MEP), a significant improvement of 21.48% was observed in the RT group, whereas a 0.75% decrease was recorded in the control group, resulting in a 22.23% greater enhancement in the RT group (p < 0.001). Finally, liver density (LD) increased by 12.30% in the RT group, while it decreased by 7.25% in the control group (p < 0.001). Conclusion: As a result of resistance training, greater improvement was observed in functional capacity, respiratory muscle strength, diaphragm thickness and liver density in the training group compared to the control group.