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Inspiratory Muscle Training Improves Maximal Inspiratory Pressure Without Increasing Performance in Elite Swimmers
Eloi Gómez-Albareda1, Ginés Viscor2, Iker García1,2
1Faculty of Health Sciences, University Isabel I, Burgos,Spain.
Purpose:
To analyze the effect of inspiratory muscle training (IMT) on the maximal inspiratory mouth pressure (MIP) and performance of elite swimmers.
Methods:
Eight participants performed a 3000-m swimming test (T-3000), followed by blood lactate measurements at 1 and 5 minutes postexercise.. The testing protocol was carried out before and after 6 weeks of IMT, in which a high-volume IMT group (HV-IMT) (n = 4) performed IMT twice a day-in the morning in a seated position and in the afternoon in a concurrent session of IMT and core muscle training. Also, a low-volume IMT group (LV-IMT) (n = 4) performed IMT in the morning session only.
Results:
After the intervention, both groups improved their MIP, HV-IMT (132.75 [27.42] to 156.75 [21.88] cmH2O; P = .010; d = 0.967) and LV-IMT (149.25 [22.82] to 171.50 [23.74] cmH2O; P = .013; d = 0.955), without a significant difference between groups (P = .855). Regarding swimming performance, there were no changes between groups in the T-3000 (P = .472) or lactate removal rate (P = .104).
Conclusion:
IMT increased inspiratory muscle strength in elite swimmers, but there was no association or meaningful impact on swimming performance.
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