Eight Weeks of Inspiratory Muscle Training Improves Pulmonary Function in Disabled Swimmers-A Randomized Trial

• Published in: International journal of environmental research and public health Vol. 16; no. 10; p. 1747
• Main Authors: Okrzymowska, Paulina, Kurzaj, Monika, Seidel, Wojciech, Rożek-Piechura, Krystyna
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 17.05.2019; MDPI
• Subjects: Athletes; Athletes with disabilities; Breathing Exercises; Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; Disability; Disabled Persons; Exercise; Female; Gastrointestinal surgery; Humans; Lung - physiology; Lungs; Male; Muscle fatigue; Muscle strength; Muscle Strength - physiology; Muscles; Parameters; Pulmonary functions; Respiration; Respiratory function; Respiratory Muscles; Respiratory system; Sports training; Strength training; Studies; Swimming; Ventilation; Young Adult; inspiratory muscle training; respiratory function; disabled swimmers
• ISSN: 1660-4601; 1661-7827; 1660-4601
• DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16101747

According to the literature, inspiratory muscle fatigue may increase after swimming training (ST). This study aimed to examine the efficacy of 8-week inspiratory muscular training (IMT) in disabled swimmers, combined with standard sports training, on selected parameters of lung ventilation and the function of respiratory muscles. A total of 16 disabled swimming division athletes from Wroclaw's 'Start' Regional Sports Association qualified for the study. The subjects were randomly divided into two groups (ST and IMT). Both groups participated in swimming training for 8 weeks (8 times a week). The IMT group additionally participated in inspiratory muscle training (8 weeks). In all respondents, a functional lung test and the respiratory muscle strength was measured. After 8 weeks of training, a significant increase in ventilation parameters and respiratory muscle strength was observed only in the IMT group. In ST group 1, a 20% improvement in the strength of inspiratory muscles was achieved. The inclusion of IMT is an important element that complements swimming training, allowing for greater increases in lung ventilation parameters and the strength of respiratory muscles in disabled swimmers.