Effect of Inspiratory Muscle Training on Diaphragm and Ab-dominal Wall Muscle Thickness With Fatty Liver Density in Elderly Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial

The POWERbreathe® device is a pressure-threshold IMT device that provides resistance during inhalation. The user breathes in through a mouthpiece against an adjustable spring-loaded valve, which opens only when the inspiratory pressure exceeds the set threshold, thereby strengthening the inspiratory muscles over time. Following a one-week familiarization period, the IMT protocol was performed twice daily (morning and evening), five days per week, for four weeks. Each session consisted of 30 breathing cycles, resulting in a total of 60 cycles per day. Prior to training, the device resistance was calibrated to 40% of each participant's maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP), as reported by Çelikel et al. (2025) to promote increases in muscle size and thickness. MIP was reassessed weekly and resistance was increased by 10%; progression was paused if participants experienced excessive strain.

The group that continues with their normal daily routines