Silesian researchers have discovered a hitherto unknown function of the diaphragm

The greater the thickness and mobility of the diaphragm during breathing, the better the body’s balance, Silesian researchers have shown. The discovery of the hitherto unknown role of the diaphragm may help treat patients with balance disorders.

The diaphragm separates the thorax, ktoThe cruciate is the lower wall, from the abdominal cavity. The work of this muscle is independent of human will. Of course, it can be modified by at least holding your breath. It is a majoroin the respiratory muscle, but supports roalso the work of the cardiovascular and lymphatic systems and provides adequate stability of the lumbar spine. But Silesian scientists have noticed another function of it.

An unknown function of the diaphragm was discovered by researchers from the Department of Thoracic Surgery of the Silesian Medical University (ŚUM) in Katowice and the Silesian University of Technology. It turns out that the diaphragm also has a role related to maintaining roin the body’s static balance.

The discoveries of the Silesian researchers were described in the „PLOS One”.

Many signalow suggested that the diaphragm may be involved in maintaining rowbalance. This was indicated, for example, by patients after thoracic surgery. For example, in a patientoIn after excision of part of the lung, disorders were observed robalance.

– During thoracic surgical intervention, there is a change in pressure between the thorax and abdominal cavity. And with it comes an impairment of diaphragm function – said in an interview with PAP Dr. n. med. Janusz Kocjan of ŚUM.

As Kocjan explained, the starting point for investigating these relationships was that the diaphragm provides stability to the lumbar spine, where the body’s conventional center of gravity lies. So stabilization in this area must affect rowbalance of the whole body.

Scientists studied the patientoin those suffering from canceror before and after pulmonary parenchyma resection surgery. This showed them that their r actually changed after the procedureoIn balance, when the function of the diaphragm has been disrupted. Studies have shown roAlso that patients in whomowho underwent the procedure using a less invasive method (videothoracoscopy), had less altered r parametersowbalance. This was associated with less impairment of diaphragm function.

The research was conducted on a stabilography platform used to measure the postolnych parameteroin rowbalance of the body. They were also conducted for cfoThe findings in the control group of osob healthy. In total, more than 100 wasps were studiedob.

Silesian researchers have demonstrated roalso that a thicker diaphragm at the moment of inspiration translates into better rowbalance. In addition, its greater mobility during normal breathing and during deep inspiration is associated with less shaky rowbalance in a standing position.

According to epidemiological data, up to 80 percent of the. People have abnormal breathing patterns – they do not breathe properly with the diaphragm and the g tractor ribs. In these osob diaphragm mobility is lower, which in turn can lead to disturbances of rowbalance.

And how do the postolne elements responsible for rowbalance. The vestibular system in the inner ear informs the nervous system about the position of the head in space, its relation to the neck and other parts of the body. To keep the body in roIn balance, they also need information from specialized receptorsoin (so-called. proprioceptoro(w) about the location of eachoof different parts of the body, their movement in relation to the fulcrum or about the position relative to each other. As a result, when, for example, we close our eyes and raise our hand to gory, we are able to determine its position relative to other parts of the body. In maintaining a bipedal posture, the importance of roAlso the postural system in the form of appropriate tension of antigravity muscles.

Researchers from Silesia now want to see if diaphragm breathing exercises can helpoc in better maintaining roequilibrium. This may have important implications for the rehabilitation of osob with r disordersowbalances. And such disorders are dangerous and very common especially among theod osob after 65. year of life.

Sourceobackground: PAP – Science in Poland. Pictured is a figure showing a dissected human diaphragm as seen from the abdominal side.