title: The effects of inspiratory muscle training in older adults.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Declining inspiratory muscle function and structure and systemic low-level inflammation and oxidative stress may contribute to morbidity and mortality during normal ageing. Therefore, we examined the effects of inspiratory muscle training (IMT) in older adults on inspiratory muscle function and structure and systemic inflammation and oxidative stress, and reexamined the reported positive effects of IMT on respiratory muscle strength, inspiratory muscle endurance, spirometry, exercise performance, physical activity levels (PAL), and quality of life (QoL).
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-four healthy older adults (68 ± 3 yr) with normal spirometry, respiratory muscle strength, and physical fitness were divided equally into a pressure-threshold IMT or sham-hypoxic placebo group. Before and after an 8-wk intervention, measurements were taken for dynamic inspiratory muscle function and inspiratory muscle endurance using a weighted plunger pressure-threshold loading device; diaphragm thickness by using B-mode ultrasonography; plasma cytokine concentrations by using immunoassays; DNA damage levels in peripheral blood mononuclear cells by using comet assays; spirometry, maximal mouth pressures, and exercise performance by using a 6-min walk test; PAL by using a questionnaire and accelerometry; and QoL using a questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared with placebo, IMT increased maximal inspiratory pressure (+34% ± 43%, P = 0.008), diaphragm thickness at residual volume (+38% ± 39%, P = 0.03), and peak inspiratory flow (+35% ± 42%, P = 0.049) but did not change other spirometry measures, plasma cytokine concentrations, DNA damage levels in peripheral blood mononuclear cells, dynamic inspiratory muscle function, inspiratory muscle endurance, exercise performance, PAL, or QoL.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These novel data indicate that in healthy older adults, IMT elicits some positive changes in inspiratory muscle function and structure but neither attenuates systemic inflammation and oxidative stress nor improves exercise performance, PAL, or QoL.
authors.affiliation: 1Sport, Health and Performance Enhancement (SHAPE) Research Group, School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, England, UNITED KINGDOM; 2Trent Cardiac Centre, Nottingham City Hospital Campus, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Nottingham, England, UNITED KINGDOM.
authors.forename: Dean E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Mills
authors.forename: Michael A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: Yvonne A
authors.initials: YA
authors.lastname: Barnett
authors.forename: William H T
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Graham R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Sharpe
mesh_terms: D061725:Accelerometry; D000273:Adipose Tissue; D000368:Aged / Q000502:physiology*; D001945:Breathing Exercises; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood; D004249:DNA Damage; D017079:Exercise Tolerance / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000378:metabolism; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology; D009055:Mouth / Q000502:physiology; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000502:physiology; D011312:Pressure; D011788:Quality of Life; D012132:Respiratory Muscles / Q000502:physiology*; D013147:Spirometry; D014939:Work of Breathing
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines