title: High-intensity inspiratory muscle training in COPD.
abstract: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of an interval-based high-intensity inspiratory muscle training (H-IMT) programme on inspiratory muscle function, exercise capacity, dyspnoea and health-related quality of life (QoL) in subjects with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. A double-blind randomised controlled trial was performed. Sixteen subjects (11 males, mean forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV(1)) 37.4+/-12.5%) underwent H-IMT performed at the highest tolerable inspiratory threshold load (increasing to 101% of baseline maximum inspiratory pressure). Seventeen subjects (11 males, mean FEV(1 )36.5+/-11.5%) underwent sham inspiratory muscle training (S-IMT) at 10% of maximum inspiratory pressure. Training took place three times a week for 8 weeks and was fully supervised. Pre- and post-training measurements of lung function, maximum inspiratory pressure, maximum threshold pressure, exercise capacity, dyspnoea and QoL (Chronic Respiratory Disease Questionnaire; CRDQ) were obtained. H-IMT increased maximum inspiratory pressure by 29%, maximum threshold pressure by 56%, 6-min walk distance by 27 m, and improved dyspnoea and fatigue (CRDQ) by 1.4 and 0.9 points per item, respectively. These changes were significantly greater than any seen following S-IMT. In conclusion, high-intensity inspiratory muscle training improves inspiratory muscle function in subjects with moderate-to-severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, yielding meaningful reductions in dyspnoea and fatigue.
authors.affiliation: Dept of Pulmonary Physiology, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Hospital Avenue, Nedlands, Western Australia, 6009 Australia. peter.eastwood@health.wa.gov.au
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hill
authors.forename: S C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Jenkins
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Philippe
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Cecins
authors.forename: K L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Shepherd
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Green
authors.forename: D R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Hillman
authors.forename: P R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Eastwood
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005221:Fatigue / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D001239:Inhalation / Q000502:physiology; D007320:Inspiratory Capacity / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000502:physiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012132:Respiratory Muscles / Q000503:physiopathology*