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Inspiratory Muscle Training Improves Respiratory Muscle Strength and Cardiovascular Autonomic Regulation in Obese
Zhe Ren1,2,3, Zeyu Zhou1,2,3, Jikai Yang4
1School of Kinesiology and Health, Capital University of Physical Education and Sports, Beijing 100191, China.
Life (Basel, Switzerland)
|August 28, 2025
Summary
Inspiratory muscle training (IMT) significantly enhanced respiratory strength and improved cardiovascular autonomic regulation in obese young men. This 8-week intervention shows promise as a non-drug approach to reduce obesity-related heart risks.
Area of Science:
- Exercise Physiology
- Cardiovascular Health
- Obesity Research
Background:
- Obesity is linked to impaired respiratory muscle strength and dysregulated cardiovascular autonomic function.
- Targeted interventions are needed to address these health risks in young obese populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of an 8-week high-intensity inspiratory muscle training (IMT) program.
- To assess changes in respiratory muscle strength and cardiovascular autonomic regulation among obese young men.
Main Methods:
- 36 obese young men were randomized into an IMT group or a control group.
- The IMT group trained 5 times/week for 8 weeks, targeting 80% of maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP).
- Respiratory pressures (MIP, MEP) and cardiovascular autonomic markers (BP, HR, HRV) were measured at baseline and post-intervention.
Main Results:
- Significant increases in MIP (31.8%) and MEP (26.5%) were observed in the IMT group (p < 0.01).
- The IMT group showed reductions in systolic blood pressure (2.2%), diastolic blood pressure (3.2%), and heart rate (2.1%) (p < 0.01).
- Heart rate variability analysis revealed significant improvements in time-domain (SDNN, RMSSD) and frequency-domain (LF, HF, LF/HF ratio) metrics (p < 0.05).
Conclusions:
- An 8-week IMT intervention effectively enhances respiratory muscle strength in obese young men.
- IMT positively modulates cardiovascular autonomic regulation, reducing cardiovascular risk factors associated with obesity.
- IMT represents a viable non-pharmacological strategy for managing obesity-related health complications.
Keywords:
cardiovascular autonomic regulationheart rate variabilityinspiratory muscle trainingobesityrespiratory muscle strengthMore Related Videos
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