Effects of respiratory resistance training with a concurrent flow device on wheelchair athletes.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effect of respiratory resistance training (RRT) with a concurrent flow respiratory (CFR) device on respiratory function and aerobic power in wheelchair athletes.


METHODS
Ten male wheelchair athletes (8 with spinal cord injuries, 1 with a neurological disorder, and 1 with postpolio syndrome), were matched by lesion level and/or track rating before random assignment to either a RRT group (n = 5) or a control group (CON, n = 5). The RRT group performed 1 set of breathing exercises using Expand-a-Lung, a CFR device, 2 to 3 times daily for 10 weeks. Pre/posttesting included measurement of maximum voluntary ventilation (MVV), maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP), and peak oxygen consumption (V(O2peak)).


RESULTS
Repeated measures ANOVA revealed a significant group difference in change for MIP from pre- to posttest (P < 0.05). The RRT group improved by 33.0 cm H2O, while the CON group improved by 0.6 cm H2O. Although not significant, the MW increased for the RRT group and decreased for the CON group. There was no significant group difference between V(O2peak) for pre/posttesting. Due to small sample sizes in both groups and violations of some parametric statistical assumptions, nonparametric tests were also conducted as a crosscheck of the findings. The results of the nonparametric tests concurred with the parametric results.


CONCLUSIONS
These data demonstrate that 10 weeks of RRT training with a CFR device can effectively improve MIP in wheelchair athletes. Further research and a larger sample size are warranted to further characterize the impact of Expand-a-Lung on performance and other cardiorespiratory variables in wheelchair athletes.
The Human Performance Laboratory, Department of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation, Texas State University-San Marcos, San Marcos, Texas 78666, USA. LL24@txstate.edu
Lyn G
LG
Litchke
Christopher J
CJ
Russian
Lisa K
LK
Lloyd
Eric A
EA
Schmidt
Larry
L
Price
John L
JL
Walker
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008451:Maximal Voluntary Ventilation / Q000502:physiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology; D010806:Physical Education and Training; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000502:physiology; D012132:Respiratory Muscles / Q000503:physiopathology; D012137:Respiratory System / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014910:Wheelchairs