Table 1.

Respiratory muscle stretching (treatment group)

Muscles	Positioning	Start position	Final position
aMajor pectoralis11	Supine decubitus	90° shoulder abduction with external rotation, 90° elbow flexion, and sternal stabilization	Maximum horizontal extension of the shoulder
Minor pectoralis9	Supine decubitus	Shoulder elevation with upper ribs stabilization	Maximum depression of third to fifth ribs
aUpper trapezius2	Supine decubitus	Neck contralateral rotation and lateral inclination with shoulder stabilization	Maximum neck flexion
aScalene11	Supine decubitus	Neck lateral inclination with shoulder stabilization	Maximum neck lateral inclination
aSternocleidomastoid11	Supine decubitus	Neck ipsilateral rotation and extension with manubrium stabilization	Maximum manubriumdepression
Intercostals and anterior serratus11	Lateral decubitus	Maximum shoulder abduction with lower ribs stabilization	Maximum lower ribs depression
Abdominal49	Prone decubitus	Both hands on the stretcher with elbow extension, extension of the trunk	Maximum extension of the trunk

Note:

^aExercises using the hold–relax technique.