Effects of 4-Week Inspiratory Muscle Training on Sport Performance in College 800-Meter Track Runners

Yun-Chi Chang; Hsiao-Yun Chang; Chien-Chang Ho; Po-Fu Lee; Yi-Chen Chou; Mei-Wun Tsai; Li-Wei Chou

doi:10.3390/medicina57010072

Effects of 4-Week Inspiratory Muscle Training on Sport Performance in College 800-Meter Track Runners

Medicina (Kaunas). 2021 Jan 15;57(1):72. doi: 10.3390/medicina57010072.

Authors

Yun-Chi Chang^{1

2}, Hsiao-Yun Chang³, Chien-Chang Ho^{2

4}, Po-Fu Lee^{2

5}, Yi-Chen Chou⁶, Mei-Wun Tsai¹, Li-Wei Chou¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Physical Therapy and Assistive Technology, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 112, Taiwan.
² Department of Physical Education, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City 242, Taiwan.
³ Department of Athletic Training and Health, National Taiwan Sport University, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan.
⁴ Research and Development Center for Physical Education, Health, and Information Technology, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City 242, Taiwan.
⁵ Graduate Institute of Sport Coaching Science, Chinese Culture University, Taipei 111, Taiwan.
⁶ Physical Education Office, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu City 300, Taiwan.

Abstract

Background and objectives: Respiratory muscle fatigue is one of the important factors limiting sports performance due to the metaboreflex. This reflex will cause a decrease in blood flow to the extremities and accelerate exercising limb fatigue. Previous studies found that inspiratory muscle training (IMT) can effectively enhance the respiratory muscle endurance and reduce fatigue during long-duration exercise or aerobic exercise, thereby enhancing athletic performance. However, the mechanism between inspiratory muscle strength, change of limb blood flow and sports performance still requires investigation, especially in short-duration exercise, anaerobic or both aerobic and anaerobic exercise. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of 4-week inspiratory muscle training on respiratory muscle strength, limb blood flow change rate and sports performance in recreational 800-m college runners. Materials and Methods: Twenty healthy 800-m college runners randomized into the IMT group (11 subjects) and control group (9 subjects). IMT consisted of 30 inspiratory efforts twice daily, 5 days a week, with intensity at 50%, 60%, 70% and 80% of maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP) for 4 weeks, while a control group kept 50% of MIP for 4 weeks. An 800-m trial test, limb blood flow change rate by using Impedance Plethysmography, and MIP were as the outcome measured variables and be evaluated. All measured variables were assessed before and after 4-week IMT training. Two-way ANOVA was conducted for statistical analysis. Results: The results showed significantly interaction between groups and pre-posttest. IMT group significantly decreased limb blood flow change rate from 19.91 ± 11.65% to 9.63 ± 7.62% after received the IMT training program (p < 0.05). The MIP significantly improved from 112.95 ± 27.13 cmH₂O to 131.09 ± 28.20 cm H₂O in IMT group, and the 800-m trial test also shorted the running time from 162.97 ± 24.96 s to 156.75 ± 20.73 s. But the control group no significantly changed in MIP and 800-m trial test. Conclusions: Our results indicated that the 4-week IMT training (twice a day, 5 days a week) significantly improves participants' inspiratory muscle strength, 800-m running performance and decreases the limb blood flow change rate.

Keywords: athletic performance; muscle fatigue; respiratory muscle capability.

Publication types

Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

Breathing Exercises*
Exercise Tolerance
Humans
Muscle Fatigue
Muscle Strength
Respiratory Muscles*