Effects of Blowing Balloon Therapy FUNCTION, DYSPNEA AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN OBESE CHILDREN

The respiratory system is divided into upper and lower tracts and functions through gaseous exchange, ventilation, and perfusion, with normal breathing depending on lung compliance, airway resistance, and muscular strength. Pulmonary function is assessed using spirometry, particularly Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) and Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second (FEV₁), which are often reduced in obese children due to excess adipose tissue restricting chest wall expansion and diaphragmatic movement, contributing to dyspnea. This randomized controlled trial will be conducted over 10 months in Lahore at selected hospitals and schools, involving 38 obese children (BMI ≥30), aged 6-12 years with mild to moderate dyspnea (RPE 8-14), who will be randomly assigned to either an experimental group receiving blowing balloon therapy or a control group performing splint running (n=19 each). Participants will be screened using the Borg RPE Scale, and data will be analyzed using SPSS version 20.

Inclusion Criteria: * Obese children having 30 or greater than 30 BMI * Age: 6 to 12 years . * Children with atleast light to moderate intensity dyspnea (RPE 8-14) Exclusion Criteria: * Recent asthma exacerbation or respiratory infection in the past 4 weeks. * Other chronic respiratory (e.g. cystic fibrosis) or cardiac diseases. * Musculoskeletal, neurological, or other conditions that contraindicate exercise. * Non-ambulatory status or inability to perform the exercise protocol