Muscle tone and getting in shape

Question: While we use CPAP, it would seem that all muscle movement in the lungs (at least) is precipitated by the machine, rather than our bodies providing the motive force --- rather like a mechanical leg mover for patients recovering from knee injuries; used especially to keep muscles from freezing.

If this is true, then are we loosing muscle tone and strength on a nightly basis?

Most folks who notice a change in muscles of the chest complain of sore muscles as they are worked harder. I don't believe one will lose muscle tone when on therapy but I am not a doctor...

With CPAP, none of the breathing work is done by the machine. It's all you. All the CPAP does is hold you airway open. All of the movement of air in and out of your lungs is done by your muscles, just like it normally would be, so CPAP does not cause any reduction in muscle tone. If anything, in some cases the respiratory system can improve in its efficiency. That is one of the many good things about CPAP.

Thank you very much. That's clear now.

It seems to me that sleep does not harm muscle tone in any way and our muscles remain in order after this and are ready to grow again in the gym.

Lately, I'm starting to notice that my muscles are very overstressed after training. I went to the doctor and he told me that I have poor muscle tone. I didn't know that muscles can have a tone and that it also needs to be at a high level to work out in the gym. I didn't know what to do, because the drugs he prescribed me were very expensive. Then I consulted with my best friend, who also goes to the gym with me, and he told me about a tool for bodybuilders that helps them keep their muscles in good shape. I agreed with him and he ordered me this remedy from behemothlabz.com the site of his bodybuilder. I hope I will be able to work out in the gym soon. Good luck to everyone!

My thoughts are that on inhale the CPAP pressure does help get air into the lungs. The higher the pressure the more help the CPAP provides. If the pressure is set too low, some will feel that air flow is being constricted and they have to put extra effort into getting air in on the inhale part of the breathing cycle. Unfortunately a lot of times the sleep techs will just leave the machine at factor default which is with a minimum 4 cm of pressure. That can set up the patient for a poor introduction to CPAP use as they will be fighting with the machine.

Things change a bit on the exhale. The higher the pressure the more effort is required to get the air out of the lungs. Using the expiratory pressure relief feature can help with this a bit. I think overall there is really no loss in muscle fitness.