CONTENTS
INSTRUCTIONS
Rotary knob
Calibrated scale
Comfort
Mouthpiece
Nose clip
Turning the knob clockwise (to the right) increases the
resistance of the valve, making exhalation through the valve
more difficult. Counterclockwise (left) rotation causes the valve
to loosen, making exhalation easier. The position of the small
metal screw at the bottom of the knob indicates the expiratory
pressure required to open the valve.
TIP:
Perform the training if you can take enough time and are
not tired. The training takes about 20 - 30 minutes per day.
It is recommended to train at the same time every day. EMST
training can be done while standing or sitting, but we
recommend a seated position for greater comfort.
Remember that in the first week, you should train 5 days a week
with the same setting, and only then adjust the resistance
further.
Metal screw
T R A I N I N G W I T H T H E E M ST
1 5 0
BEFORE TRAINING: DETERMINE YOUR MAXIMUM EXPIRATORY PRESSURE
FIRST WEEK OF TRAINING
WEEK 1: STEPS TO YOUR TRAINING
WEEK 2 UNTIL WEEK 5
MAINTENANCE PROGRAM
First, the
maximum exhalation pressure (ADmax)
must be determined.
This can easily be done using the EMST device itself. To do this, please
perform the following steps:
1. Close your nose with the enclosed nose clip.
2. Turn the small metal screw on the knob so it aligns with the number
30 on the scale.
3. Take a deep breath. Fix the EMST mouthpiece in your mouth behind
your teeth and loosely enclose the mouthpiece with your lips. Do not
exhale until the mouthpiece has been positioned securely .
4. Exhale quickly and vigorously through the device. Stop when the air
has audibly escaped from the device and the valve has opened.
5. If you were able to easily perform steps 1-4, turn the knob
clockwise a quarter of a turn and repeat steps 1-4.
6. If you can no longer pass the exhaled air through the valve, turn
the knob back about a quarter of a turn and try again until the valve
opens. This is your final setting.
Once you have thus found the right exppiration resistance, leave
this setting for your first week of training.
Write down the value and date for further reference!
Continue turning the knob clockwise and back a little, if necessary, until you are unable to move air through the device easily. When you arrive at
this point, you have reached your maximum pressure (ADmax) you are able to create.
Now that you have determined your maximum expiratory strength we
are ready to get started making you stronger. First, turn the knob 1⁄4
turn counterclockwise from where you determined your maximum
expiratory strength. The reason we do this is because we want to start
training your muscles at about
75% of your maximum strength.
1. Place the noseclips on your nose.
2. Take a deep breath in, do not breathe out.
3. Place the mouthpiece in your mouth, behind your teeth, securing
your lips tightly around it, holding / pressing the sides of your cheeks if
needed.
4. Breathe out hard and fast using your chest and stomach muscles to
push air through the device. This breathing effort should only last a
couple seconds for the air to move through.
5. Rest for a minimum of 15-30 seconds. Do not skip resting in between
breaths. Your muscles need time to prepare for the next set.
6. REPEAT this exercise 5 times (steps 1-5). Then you need a minute
break. We call this a
5-breath trial
.
7. After the 1 minute break, do another 5-breath trial (steps 1-5). Take
another 1 minute break.
8. You need to do five 5-breath trials for a total of 25 training breaths
per day.
9. If you feel lightheaded at anytime during the exercise, stop and
discontinue.
10. Record the date and time the exercises were completed.
At the end of training Week 1, move the knob on the device a
quarter turn clockwise (90°) and begin training for Week 2.
If you feel you can turn the knob to a higher level, then do so, but
remember: air must move freely through the device without
extreme effort.
In weeks 2,3,4 and 5, continue training as described.
Stop training if you feel uncomfortable or dizzy!
Each week, note the new value you trained with. This will help you
and your therapist to track your progress.
After the 5 weeks of training have been completed, you can
continue to train at the final setting you achieved in Week 5 in order
to prevent de-training and loss of function.
During the Maintenance Program you will train
3 days per week, 25
breaths
into the device.
Over the course of the Maintenance Program if you feel the knob
can be turned to a higher level, then do so.
But again, always remember training with the device should never
cause extreme breathing effort or fatigue.
We wish you lots of success and fun with your EMST150!