Efficacy of Diaphragmatic Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation on Functional Capacity and Pulmonary Function in Heavy Twenties Smokers

According to predictions by the World Health Organization, the number of smokers who will die from cigarette related diseases will surpass the number of people dying from AIDS, traffic accidents, suicide, and murder combined by 2020. Due to the presence of various harmful substances in cigarettes, smoking can cause many diseases. Nicotine which is one of the major constituents of cigarettes causes arteriosclerosis, coronary artery disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and other problems that result not only in low cardiopulmonary function but also in relatively diminished daily living ability and endurance in smokers compared with that in non-smokers. Moreover, it is common knowledge that smoking is very highly correlated with occurrence of respiratory diseases. Diaphragmatic breathing is a good technique for respiration and relaxation of the lungs because it enables sufficient exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide. Diaphragmatic breathing is reported to be effective in improvement of ventilation efficiency, dyspnea, and activity ability; reduction of metabolic acidosis; alleviation of back pain; spine correction; abdominal strengthening; and improvement of body composition and flexibility. In our current social climate, the number of male smokers in their twenties is rapidly increasing and this trend is becoming a social problem. Our study attempts to verify the effects of diaphragmatic proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation on functional capacity and pulmonary functions in in heavy twenties smokers.