The Effect of Waistbands on Intra-Abdominal Pressure and Respiratory Mechanics During Bodyweight Exercise

Abstract Leahy, MG, Kipp, S, and Sheel, AW. The effect of waistbands on intra-abdominal pressure and respiratory mechanics during bodyweight exercise. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000–000, 2024—Athletic apparel is often designed with high-waisted, elastic bands around the abdomen to provide comfort and support during functional exercises. The abdominal musculature aids in both active respiration and trunk stability during the exercise, but whether high-waistband athletic garments affect pulmonary function and respiratory mechanics is unknown. Ten healthy women participated in a single-visit study. Subjects were fitted with esophageal and gastric balloon-tipped catheters and completed three bouts of isometric and dynamic bodyweight squats, lunges, and planks, during which ventilation and pulmonary pressures were continuously recorded. Resting pulmonary function was unchanged by high-waistband garments. During isometric squatting exercise, peak abdominal pressure was significantly greater while wearing high-waistband garments (17 ± 6 cmH 2 O), relative to low-waistband garments (15 ± 6 cmH 2 O, p = 0.032). The work of breathing was reduced when completing dynamic squat exercise in a high-waistband garment (16.2 ± 3.9 J·min −1 ), relative to a low-waistband garment (18.6 ± 5.7 J·min −1 , p = 0.026). High waistbands had no effect on abdominal pressures or pulmonary mechanics during lunge or plank exercises. We believe our findings indicate that high-waistband garments have the capacity to alter abdominal and ventilatory mechanics during bodyweight squatting exercises but are unlikely to have an effect during other exercise movements.