The influence of inspiratory and expiratory muscle training upon rowing performance.
We investigated the effect of 4 week of inspiratory (IMT) or expiratory muscle training (EMT), as well as the effect of a subsequent 6 week period of combined IMT/EMT on rowing performance in club-level oarsmen. Seventeen male rowers were allocated to either an IMT (n = 10) or EMT (n = 7) group. The groups underwent a 4 week IMT or EMT program; after interim testing, both groups subsequently performed a 6 week program of combined IMT/EMT. Exercise performance and physiological responses to exercise were measured at 4 and 10 week during an incremental rowing ergometer 'step-test' and a 6 min all-out (6MAO) effort. Pressure threshold respiratory muscle training was undertaken at the 30 repetition maximum load (approximately 50% of the peak inspiratory and expiratory mouth pressure, P (Imax) or P (Emax), respectively). P (Imax) increased during the IMT phase of the training in the IMT group (26%, P < 0.001) and was accompanied by an improvement in mean power during the 6MAO (2.7%, P = 0.015). Despite an increase in P (Emax) by the end of the intervention (31%, P = 0.03), the EMT group showed no significant changes in any performance parameters during either the 'step-test' or 6MAO. There were no significant changes in breathing pattern or the metabolic response to the 6MAO test in either group, but the IMT group showed a small decrease in HR (2-5%, P = 0.001). We conclude that there were no significant additional changes following combined IMT/EMT. IMT improved rowing performance, but EMT and subsequent combined IMT/EMT did not.
Griffiths
Lisa A
LA
School of Sport, Leisure and Travel, Wellesbourne Campus, Buckinghamshire Chilterns University College, Buckinghamshire, HP13 5BB, UK. lisa.griffiths@bcuc.ac.uk
McConnell
Alison K
AK
D000328:Adult; D001945:Breathing Exercises; D045853:Exhalation; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D001239:Inhalation; D019344:Lactic Acid; D008297:Male; D018763:Muscle Fatigue; D053580:Muscle Strength; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D010465:Perception; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000502:physiology*; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000502:physiology; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D015656:Respiratory Mechanics; D012132:Respiratory Muscles / Q000502:physiology*; D013177:Sports; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D013997:Time Factors
D019344:Lactic Acid