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Respiratory muscle training improves swimming endurance at depth
A D Ray1, D R Pendergast, C E G Lundgren
1Center for Research and Education in Special Environments, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo New York, USA.
Summary
Respiratory muscle training (RMT) enhances swimming endurance in divers at greater depths. This training reduces breathing frequency and respiratory muscle fatigue, significantly improving performance and time to exhaustion.
Area of Science:
- Sports Science
- Diving Physiology
- Respiratory Mechanics
Background:
- Respiratory muscle training (RMT) improves swimming endurance at shallow depths.
- Its efficacy at greater depths, with increased gas density and work of breathing, remains unstudied.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of resistance respiratory muscle training (RRMT) on respiratory function.
- To assess the impact of RRMT on swimming endurance at a depth of 55 feet (270.5 kPa).
Main Methods:
- Nine male subjects underwent 4 weeks of RRMT (30 min/day, 5 d/wk).
- Swimming endurance was tested pre- and post-RRMT at 70% VO2 max.
- Maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressures were measured to assess respiratory muscle strength.
Main Results:
- RRMT led to significantly lower ventilation and reduced respiratory muscle fatigue during swimming.
- Breathing frequency decreased post-RRMT.
- Swimming time to exhaustion increased by approximately 60% (31.3 min to 49.9 min).
Conclusions:
- Respiratory muscle fatigue is a limiting factor for swimming endurance at depth.
- RRMT effectively improves swimming performance and endurance in divers at depth.
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