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Updated: Jun 2, 2026

A Rapidly Incremented Tethered-Swimming Maximal Protocol for Cardiorespiratory Assessment of Swimmers
Published on: January 28, 2020
Maximal respiratory pressures among adolescent swimmers
M A Rocha Crispino Santos1, M L Pinto, C Couto Sant'Anna
1Departament of Pediatrics, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. marilenecs@terra.com.br
Maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressures (MIP/MEP) in junior swimmers showed no significant change after training. These respiratory muscle strength measures in athletes may indicate sustained performance levels.
Area of Science:
- Sports Medicine
- Respiratory Physiology
Background:
- Maximal inspiratory pressures (MIP) and maximal expiratory pressures (MEP) are key indicators of respiratory muscle strength in athletes.
- Assessing these pressures is crucial for understanding the physiological demands on athletes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate respiratory muscle strength (MIP and MEP) in elite junior swimmers before and after a standard training period.
- To investigate potential differences in inspiratory and expiratory pressure responses to training between male and female swimmers.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involved 28 international-level swimmers aged 15-17 years.
- Respiratory muscle strength was measured using MIP and MEP at baseline and post-training.
Main Results:
- Baseline MIP was significantly lower in female swimmers compared to males.
- After training, MIP and MEP values remained relatively stable, with no significant differential changes observed between sexes.
- Mean MIP values: Males 100.4 cmH2O, Females 67.8 cmH2O (baseline); Males 95.3 cmH2O, Females 71.8 cmH2O (post-training).
- Mean MEP values: Males 87.4 cmH2O, Females 73.9 cmH2O (baseline); Males 82.8 cmH2O, Females 70.4 cmH2O (post-training).
Conclusions:
- Junior swimmers demonstrate the ability to maintain their initial maximal respiratory pressures following a standard training regimen.
- Further research is needed to determine if MIP and MEP can serve as reliable performance markers in athletes.
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