The influence of prior activity upon inspiratory muscle strength in rowers and non-rowers.
The aim of this study was to investigate whether a 'warm-up' phenomenon in the strength of the inspiratory muscles exists, and, under this assumption, whether whole body warm-up protocols or a specific respiratory warm-up is more effective in this respect. Eleven club level rowers performed a rowing warm-up, and twelve university students performed a general cycling warm-up. Both groups also performed a specific respiratory warm-up. Inspiratory muscle strength (Mueller manoeuvre) and lung function (flow-volume loops) were measured before and after the three conditions. Isokinetic strength during knee extension was measured before and after the rowing warm-up. The two whole body warm-up protocols had no effect on inspiratory muscle strength or any lung function parameter despite the significant (3.8+/-SD 1.4%; p<0.05) increase in peak torque that the rowing warm-up elicited. The respiratory warm-up induced a significant increase in inspiratory mouth pressure (8.5+/-1.8%; p<0.0001) but not in any other lung function parameter. Following the rowing incremental test to exhaustion, maximum inspiratory pressure decreased by 7.0+/-2.0%, which is an indication of respiratory muscle fatigue. These data suggest that the inspiratory muscle strength can be enhanced with preliminary activity, a phenomenon similar to the one known to exist for other skeletal muscles. In addition, a specific respiratory warm-up is more effective in this respect than whole body protocols.
Volianitis
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School of Sport and Exercise Sciences, The University of Birmingham, United Kingdom. Stefanos.Volianitis@mailexcite.com
McConnell
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Koutedakis
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Jones
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DA
D000328:Adult; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005080:Exercise Test; D006801:Humans; D018763:Muscle Fatigue / Q000502:physiology; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012119:Respiration; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012132:Respiratory Muscles / Q000502:physiology*; D013177:Sports / Q000502:physiology*