Correia R, Pires J*, Rosa P, Marques C, Santos J
Purpose: Evaluate the influence of core training on functionality and peak cough flow in hospitalized patients.
Methods: Core training was applied 3 times to 5 patients and consisted of 4 exercises (lateral trunk rotation with Swiss ball in hand and throwing the ball; squatting to pick up the swiss ball from the floor; sitting on a chair, perform hip flexion; sitting on the edge of the chair, lean back and return to the starting position). The progression of patients was assessed through the tests: Supine Bridge Test (SBT), Flexor fatigue Test (FFT), Peak Cough Flow (PCF) and Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) and during the course of the sessions it was continuously monitored saturation (SpO2), heart rate (HR) and dyspnea with modified borg scale (MBS).
Results: All patients obtained improvements in FFT, PCF and SPPB. 4 out of 5 patients achieved improvements inSBT.
Conclusion: Core training appears to have positive results in improving functionality and values of cough peak flow in hospitalized patients.