Inspiratory muscle training and endurance sport performance

[Guest guest]

Inspiratory muscle training and endurance sport performance

Indiana U. research at the American College of Sports Medicine annual meeting

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2010-06/iu-imt060110.php

An Indiana University study found that strengthening inspiratory muscles by

performing daily breathing exercises for six weeks significantly reduced the

amount of oxygen these same breathing muscles required during exercise, possibly

making more oxygen available for other muscles.

Louise , a researcher in the Department of Kinesiology, said just the act

of breathing during an endurance activity, such as running, swimming or cycling

performed at maximum intensity, can account for 10 to 15 percent of an athlete's

total oxygen consumption. While inspiratory muscle training (IMT) has been shown

to improve performance in endurance sports, 's study sought to shed light

on how IMT does this.

" This study helps to provide further insight into the potential mechanisms

responsible for the improved whole-body endurance performance previously

reported following IMT, " she said.

About the study:

•The double blind, placebo-controlled study involved 16 male cyclists ages 18 to

40.

•IMT involves the use of a hand-held device that provides resistance as one

inhales through it, requiring greater use of inspiratory muscles. For half of

the study participants, the IMT device was set to a level that provided

resistance as the subjects took a fast forceful breath in. For six weeks they

took 30 breaths at this setting twice a day. The cyclists in the control group

did the same exercises with the IMT adjusted to a minimal level.

•After six weeks, when the study participants mimicked the breathing required

for low, moderate and maximum intensity activities, the inspiratory muscles

required around 1 percent less oxygen during the low intensity exercise and

required 3 to 4 percent less during the high intensity exercise.

Muscles need oxygen to produce energy. 's research also is looking at the

next component of this equation, whether more oxygen is actually available to

other muscles, particularly those in the legs, because less oxygen is being used

by the breathing muscles.

IMT has been used as an intervention in pulmonary diseases and conditions, such

as asthma, COPD and cystic fibrosis, and also is marketed as a means for

improving athletic performance in cyclists, runners and swimmers.

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is presenting her study, " Inspiratory Muscle Training reduces the Oxygen

Cost of Breathing during Exercise, " on Thursday, June 03, from 9-10:30 a.m. in

Hall C. Co-authors are D. Mickleborough, M. Stager and F.

Chapman from Indiana University; and Sandy Tecklenburg-Lund, Nebraska Wesleyan

University.