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Multimodal Adaptations to Expiratory Musculature-Targeted Resistance Training: A Preliminary Study in Healthy Young Adults.

Journal of speech, language, and hearing research : JSLHR
March 5, 2025
Rahul Krishnamurthy et al. (6 authors)
Journal ArticleHuman Study
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to investigate the neuroplastic effects of 4-week expiratory muscle strength training (EMST) in healthy young adults, focusing on molecular and functional changes.

Results Summary

The study found significant increases in maximum expiratory pressure (MEP) and serum BDNF levels post-training, along with functional activation changes in eight brain regions, but no significant changes in IGF-1 levels or white matter microstructure.

Population

Five healthy young adult men aged 19-35 years.

Effective Dosage

Not specified

Duration

4 weeks

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (5)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
4-week expiratory musculature-targeted resistance training
increase
maximum expiratory pressure (MEP)
healthy young adult men aged between 19 and 35 years
-
significantly increased
#1
4-week expiratory musculature-targeted resistance training
increase
serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels
healthy young adult men aged between 19 and 35 years
-
significantly increased
#2
4-week expiratory musculature-targeted resistance training
no change
insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) levels
healthy young adult men aged between 19 and 35 years
-
this effect was not observed
#3
expiratory muscle strength training (EMST)
increase
functional activation in eight regions
healthy young adult men aged between 19 and 35 years
-
significant increase in functional activation
#4
expiratory muscle strength training (EMST)
no change
white matter microstructure
healthy young adult men aged between 19 and 35 years
-
did not observe significant changes
#5
Abstract

PURPOSE: Exercise-induced adaptations, including neuroplasticity, are well studied for physical exercise that targets skeletal muscles. However, little is known about the neuroplastic potential of targeted speech and swallowing exercises. The current study aimed to gather preliminary data on molecular and functional changes associated with the neuroplastic effects of 4-week expiratory musculature-targeted resistance training in healthy young adults. METHOD: Five healthy young adult men aged between 19 and 35 years, M (SD) = 28.8 (2.68) years, underwent 4 weeks of expiratory muscle strength training (EMST). We measured changes in maximum expiratory pressure (MEP), serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) levels at baseline and posttraining conditions. Furthermore, functional and structural magnetic resonance images were obtained to investigate the neuroplastic effects of EMST. We analyzed the effects of training using a linear mixed model for each outcome, with fixed effects for baseline and posttraining. RESULTS: MEP and serum BDNF levels significantly increased posttraining. However, this effect was not observed for IGF-1. A significant increase in functional activation in eight regions was also observed posttraining. However, we did not observe significant changes in the white matter microstructure. CONCLUSIONS: Preliminary data from our study suggest targeted resistance training of expiratory muscles results in molecular and neuroplastic adaptations similar to exercise that targets skeletal muscles. Additionally, these results suggest that EMST could be a potential intervention to modulate (or prime) neurotrophic signaling pathways linked to functional strength gains and neuroplasticity.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
HumansMaleYoung AdultAdultResistance TrainingBrain-Derived Neurotrophic FactorInsulin-Like Growth Factor IAdaptation, PhysiologicalMagnetic Resonance ImagingNeuronal PlasticityExhalationRespiratory MusclesHealthy VolunteersPreliminary Data
Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy75/10
Quality65/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations2
Citations/Year2.0
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.50
Weight Score2.55
Normalized Score0.63
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