Inspiratory muscle training in wheelchair athletes: Effects on respiratory function and para fencing performance

This study aimed to examine the effects of inspiratory muscle training (IMT) on respiratory function and Para Fencing (PF) performance, and to investigate the relationship between a PF-specific wheelchair protocol and arm-crank ergometer performance.

A pre-post intervention case series.

Laboratory-based assessments.

Five Para Fencing athletes with spinal cord injury (T1-L1), classified as classes A and B.

Pulmonary function, maximal inspiratory (PImax) and expiratory pressures (PEmax), cardiopulmonary exercise testing using an arm-crank ergometer, blood lactate peak, and performance in a PF-specific wheelchair protocol.

Following six weeks of IMT, PImax and PEmax increased by 10.9% and 15.5%, respectively, indicating improved respiratory muscle strength. Blood lactate peak showed a large effect size (0.87) after training. A strong correlation was observed between the duration of the PF-specific protocol and peak oxygen uptake obtained from the arm-crank ergometer test (r = 0.90; p = 0.037).

Aerobic capacity appears to be strongly associated with PF performance. Although IMT significantly improved respiratory muscle function, its direct impact on sport-specific performance remains inconclusive in this sample.