Examination of strength training and detraining effects in expiratory muscles.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to determine strength gains following expiratory muscle strength training (EMST) and to determine detraining effects when the training stimulus is removed.


METHODS
Thirty-two healthy participants were enrolled in an EMST program. Sixteen participants trained for 4 weeks (Group 1) and 16 participants trained for 8 weeks (Group 2). All 32 participants were detrained for 8 weeks. Maximum expiratory pressure (MEP) was used to document change in expiratory muscle strength throughout the study.


RESULTS
Group 1 had a 41% increase and Group 2 had a 51% increase in MEP following the training. Mean MEP, for both groups, was significantly greater than baseline at the end of the training period (p = .0001), at the 4th week of detraining (p = .0001), and at the 8th week of detraining (p = .0001). The results also indicated that there was no significant difference in mean MEP between the groups at baseline, end of training, or throughout the detraining period (p = .960).


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest that expiratory muscle strength gains following a 4- and 8-week EMST program do not differ significantly. Additionally, detraining rates do not appear to be dependent on length of training time.
University of Florida, Gainesville, USA. bakerse1@muohio.edu
Susan
S
Baker
Paul
P
Davenport
Christine
C
Sapienza
D000328:Adult; D001945:Breathing Exercises; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology*; D012132:Respiratory Muscles / Q000502:physiology*; D013997:Time Factors