Plank exercise improves respiratory capacity through positive changes in body composition, abdominis function, and autonomic nerves' activities

This research aimed to explore the impact of plank exercise training (PET) on respiratory function, body composition, abdominis performance, and autonomic nervous system (ANS).Sixty-one young adults participated and were divided into a control group (CG,n=31) and an exercise group (EG,n=30), where in PET was administered 3 days per week for 12 weeks. After the experiment, the body composition of the CG deteriorated, whereas that of the EG improved (p<0.001). The EG exhibited are duction of similar to 34% in the mean maximum displacement and arise of similar to 20% in the mean contraction time of the abdominis. The sit up in the EG demonstrated a significant increase of similar to 55%. In the EG, there was a substantial increase in peak expiratory force by similar to 24% and forced expiratory volume in 1 s by similar to 14%, accompanied by a reduction in resting respiratory rate by similar to-9%. When compared to the CG, these alterations were significant between the two groups (p=0.001). In the EG, there was a significant decrease in resting heartrate by similar to 2%, accompanied by a decrease in sympathetic nervous activity by similar to-5% and by an increase in para sympathetic nervous activity by similar to 5%. When compared to the CG, these alterations were significant between the two groups (p=0.001). The findings of this study revealed that implementing PET in young adults, while controlling for dietary intake and physical activity, resulted in note-worthy changes in respiratory capacity. These changes were coupled with improvements in body composition, abdominal functions, and the ANS.