Influence of Inspiratory Muscle Training of Various Intensities on the Physical Performance of Long-Distance Runners.

The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of inspiratory muscle training (IMT) at different intensities on the pulmonary function and physiological adaptations of long-distance runners undergoing sports training. This study involved 25 long-distance runners. The subjects were randomly divided into three groups depending on the type of IMT applied: POWERbreathe device (group 1), Threshold IMT device (group 2), and a control group. The following lung variables were evaluated: vital capacity (VC), forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and peak expiratory flow (PEF). Respiratory muscle strength was assessed by maximum inspiratory pressure (PImax) and maximum expiratory pressure (PEmax). Spiroergometric measures included: heart rate (HR), oxygen uptake (VO2max), carbon dioxide production (VCO2max), maximum ventilation (VE) and respiratory exchange rate (RER), which were measured breath by breath using a gas analyser (VYNTUS CPX). Group 1, which used the POWERbreathe device, showed significant increases in all assessed physiological and physical performance variables. In group 2, which used the Threshold device, only VO2max, VE and tRER ventilation were significantly increased to a similar level as that observed in group 1. In the control group, we only observed a significant reduction in saturation. The use of IMT with a higher intensity resulted in significant improvements in all tested variables of lung ventilation and respiratory muscle strength. Also, after training, lactate accumulation was significantly decreased. Physiological characteristics (VO2max/kg) and muscle respiratory strength variables were significantly improved in the group that used the POWERbreathe device after 8 weeks of training.

Can Inspiratory Muscle Training Improve Exercise Tolerance and Lower Limb Function After Myocardial Infarction?

BACKGROUND Respiratory therapy is an integral part of treatment of cardiac patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of addition of inspiratory muscle training (IMT) to second-stage cardiac rehabilitation on exercise tolerance and function of lower extremities in patients following myocardial infarction (MI). MATERIAL AND METHODS This study included 90 patients (mean age 65 years) with MI who took part in the second stage of an 8-week cycle of cardiac rehabilitation (CR). They were divided into 3 groups: group I underwent CR and IMT, group II only underwent CR, and group III only underwent IMT. Groups I and II were allocated randomly according sealed opaque envelopes. The third group consisted of patients who could not participate in standard rehabilitation for various reasons. Before and after the 8-week program, participants were assessed for maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressure (PImax and PEmax) values, exercise tolerance, and knee muscle strength. RESULTS In groups I and II, a significant increase in the PImax parameters and exercise tolerance parameters (MET) were observed. Group I had increased PEmax parameters. In group III, the same changes in the parameter values that reflect respiratory muscle function were observed. All of the examined strength parameters of the knee joint muscles demonstrated improvement in all of the investigated groups, but the biggest differences were observed in group I. CONCLUSIONS Use of IMT in the ambulatory rehabilitation program of MI patients resulted in improved rehabilitation efficacy, leading to a significant improvement in physical condition.

Eight Weeks of Inspiratory Muscle Training Improves Pulmonary Function in Disabled Swimmers-A Randomized Trial.

BACKGROUND: According to the literature, inspiratory muscle fatigue may increase after swimming training (ST). This study aimed to examine the efficacy of 8-week inspiratory muscular training (IMT) in disabled swimmers, combined with standard sports training, on selected parameters of lung ventilation and the function of respiratory muscles. METHODS: A total of 16 disabled swimming division athletes from Wroclaw's 'Start' Regional Sports Association qualified for the study. The subjects were randomly divided into two groups (ST and IMT). Both groups participated in swimming training for 8 weeks (8 times a week). The IMT group additionally participated in inspiratory muscle training (8 weeks). In all respondents, a functional lung test and the respiratory muscle strength was measured. RESULTS: After 8 weeks of training, a significant increase in ventilation parameters and respiratory muscle strength was observed only in the IMT group. In ST group 1, a 20% improvement in the strength of inspiratory muscles was achieved. CONCLUSIONS: The inclusion of IMT is an important element that complements swimming training, allowing for greater increases in lung ventilation parameters and the strength of respiratory muscles in disabled swimmers.

The Effect of Respiratory Muscle Training on the Pulmonary Function, Lung Ventilation, and Endurance Performance of Young Soccer Players.

This study investigated whether the addition of eight weeks of inspiratory muscle training (IMT) to a regular preseason soccer training program, including incremental endurance training (IET), would change pulmonary function, lung ventilation, and aerobic performance in young soccer players. Sixteen club-level competitive junior soccer players (mean age 17.63 ± 0.48 years, height 182 ± 0.05 cm, body mass 68.88 ± 4.48 kg) participated in the study. Participants were randomly assigned into two groups: experimental (n = 8) and control (n = 8). Both groups performed regular preseason soccer training, including endurance workouts as IET. In addition to this training, the experimental group performed additional IMT for eigght weeks with a commercially available respiratory muscle trainer (Threshold IMT), with a total of 80 inhalations (twice per day, five days per week). Pre- and post-intervention tests of pulmonary function, maximal inspiratory pressure, and the Cooper test were implemented. Eight weeks of IMT had a positive impact on expiratory muscle strength (p = 0.001); however, there was no significant effect on respiratory function parameters. The results also indicate increased efficiency of the inspiratory muscles, contributing to an improvement in aerobic endurance, measured by VO2max estimated from running distance in the cardiorespiratory Cooper test (p < 0.005).

The impact of specialized physiotherapy methods on BODE index in COPD patients during hospitalization.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effectiveness of specialized physiotherapy methods measured by the BODE index in patients with COPD during hospitalization. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was conducted on a group of 30 patients diagnosed with COPD, all under treatment at the clinical hospital in Wroclaw due to the exacerbation of their symptoms. All patients were undergoing standard pharmacological treatment along with basic physiotherapy. The subjects of the study were randomly divided between an experimental group of 20 persons and a control group of 10 persons. Patients in the experimental group underwent a series of 6 additional massage treatments performed over a period of a few days, aimed at reshaping the following muscles: the sterno-cleidomastoid, pectoralis major, pectoralis minor, trapezius, levator scapulae, rhomboids and serratus anterior. Each massage lasted for 30 minutes and consisted of stroking, grinding, vibration and kneading techniques. Before and after therapy the patients were assessed based on the BODE index. First, the patient's BMI was calculated (B). Airflow obstruction (O) was determined by the percentage value of FEV1 while the MRC scale was used to evaluate a patient's dyspnea (D). Exercise capacity (E) was measured by the distance a patient could cover in a 6-minute walk test. Each variable of the BODE index was ranked on a scale from 0 to 3 points except the BMI, for which was given either 0 or 1 point. RESULTS: Analysis of the results showed a significant improvement of the BODE index in the experimental group while in the control group this ratio changed slightly. The FEV1 and MRC parameters changed significantly only in the experimental group. CONCLUSIONS: After a week of therapy the BODE index improved in both groups, but in the experimental group there was a significantly higher difference. In the experimental group all BODE components except BMI improved highly significantly, whereas in the control group only exercise capacity was significantly improved.