Effectiveness of Functional Training on Respiratory Function and Functional Movements Among Female Bodybuilders

Dynamic postural instability and subsequent functional movement dysfunctions are acknowledged as one of the primary reasons for intrinsic injuries. To prevent these injuries, individuals at risk should be diagnosed and involved in functional corrective interventions. This study was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of a six-week exercise intervention based on functional training on chest wall mobility, respiratory function, and the quality of functional movement patterns among female bodybuilders.

The current study was a semi-experimental, conducted over six weeks, investigating the effect of a functional training protocol on chest mobility, respiratory function, and functional movement patterns in 40 female volunteers aged 19-39 years. The participants were assigned to two groups, an intervention group (n=20) and a control group (n=20), using a randomization technique. Upper chest mobility (UCM), lower chest mobility (LCM), inspiratory breath-hold time (IBHT), expiratory breath-hold time (EBHT), respiratory rate (RR), functional movement screen (FMS), and closed kinetic chain upper extremity stability test (CKCUEST) were measured at baseline and at the end of the study. Six weeks of functional training (three sessions per week) was implemented. The data were analyzed using repeated-measures analysis of variance (RM-ANOVA) by SPSS software, version 23. 

A significant improvement was observed only in chest mobility (UCM: 3.74±1.26 vs 8.13±1.26, p<0.001 and LCM: 4.36±1.84 vs 7.63±1.53, p<0.001), CKCUEST (18.42±3.77 vs 21.67±3.23, p<0.01), and overall score of the FMS tests (14.55±1.93 vs 16.65±1.87, p<0.003), and the RR (18.00±3.43 vs 17.00±3.46, p<0.001) in the functional training group.

It seems that doing the functional exercises program can improve chest mobility, respiratory function, and the quality of functional movements of female bodybuilders. It is recommended for coaches and athletes to use these exercises along with specific bodybuilding exercises.