The effect of fixed load incremental inspiratory muscle training in the elite athlete: a pilot study

Abstract This study sought to investigate whether a regime of high density inspiratory muscle training (IMT) would increase respiratory muscle strength (RMS) and respiratory muscle endurance (RME) in maximally trained subjects. Twelve endurance athletes (nine men) with a mean age of 25 years (±5·6 S.D.) were selected for a three times weekly training programme, performed over 8 weeks. Using a computerized system, subjects were required to perform three sustained maximal inspiratory efforts (SMIP) from residual volume to total lung capacity, and to subsequently attain repeated sub maximal pressure profiles at progressively reduced time intervals. With the use of biofeedback, subjects were required to match or exceed a pressure curve which was derived by reducing the best SMIP to 80% of peak at each training session. Maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) values were recorded as measures of RMS. SMIP values were calculated in arbitrary pressure/time units (PTUs). RME was expressed as summated PTUs at programme completion. These results demonstrate a significant increase in RMS ( P P