The Effects of a Novel Breathing Exercise on Respiratory, Postural, and Muscular Performance
The following is a short summary of this study to help you decide whether or not to be a part of this study. More detailed information is listed later on in this form.
Why am I being invited to take part in a research study?
We invite you to take part in a research study because you are 18 – 30 years old, and can read and write in English. You are not eligible to participate if you have a medical history of respiratory issues (e.g., asthma, COPD, chronic bronchitis) or have experienced formal respiratory training (e.g., diaphragmatic breathing, pranayama, or similar structured practices).
Why is this research being done?
This study is being done to evaluate how a novel breathing exercise will influence how much air you can breathe in, how much air you can exhale, how much rib cage movements change as well as your hand strength, muscle tenderness, blood oxygen level, and balance.
How long will the research last and what will I need to do?
You will take part in two 1-hour sessions at the University of Central Florida’s Spine and Mobility lab with a week in between the first and second session.
At the first session you will be given baseline physical tests including how much air you can breathe in, how much air you can exhale, how much rib cage movements change as well as your hand strength, muscle tenderness, blood oxygen level as well as balance.
You will be randomly assigned to either the intervention group or the control group.
- Intervention group: If you are in this group, you will be trained in a breathing exercise. This exercise involves taking deep breaths and focusing on expanding your rib cage as much as possible.
- Control group: If you are in this group, you will not receive any special training. You will simply sit quietly during the first visit and return one week later for follow-up testing.
At the first session, after completing your assigned activity, you will immediately repeat all the same tests to see if there are any changes.
Inclusion Qualifications:
- Participants must be between 18 and 30 years of age
- Participants must be able to read and write in English,
Exclusion Qualifications:
You may not participate in this research opportunity if any of the following applies to you:- Individuals will be excluded if they have a history of respiratory conditions (e.g., asthma, COPD, chronic bronchitis)
- any prior formal experience with breathing exercises or training programs specifically designed to improve lung capacity (e.g., diaphragmatic breathing, pranayama, or similar structured practices).
Get Notified of Future Opportunities
Subscribe to our email list to be automatically notified of all future research participation opportunities as soon as they become available.PI: William J. Hanney
IRB Expiration October 26, 2026
April 1, 2026
Health Sciences I
12805 Pegasus Drive
Room 266
Orlando, FL 32816
Number of visits: 2
Expected time per visit: 45 minutes
Tristan Wilson
Physical Therapy
