Inspiratory Muscle Training Program Using the PowerBreath®: Does It Have Ergogenic Potential for Respiratory and/or Athletic Performance? A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis

• Published in: International journal of environmental research and public health Vol. 18; no. 13; p. 6703
• Main Authors: Fernández-Lázaro, Diego, Gallego-Gallego, David, Corchete, Luis, Fernández Zoppino, Darío, González-Bernal, Jerónimo, García Gómez, Blanca, Mielgo-Ayuso, Juan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel MDPI AG 22.06.2021; MDPI
• Subjects: Blood levels; Dyspnea; Endurance; Exercise; Experiments; Heterogeneity; Lactic acid; Meta-analysis; Metabolism; Muscles; Oxygen consumption; Physical fitness; Physiology; Pressure; Pulmonary functions; Quality assessment; Respiration; Respiratory function; Review; Statistical analysis; Systematic review; Ventilation
• ISSN: 1660-4601; 1661-7827; 1660-4601
• DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18136703

This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to provide scientific evidence regarding the effects of training on respiratory muscle training’s impact with the PowerBreath®. A systematic analysis based on the PRISMA guides and a conducted research structured around the bases of Web of Science, Scopus, Medline/PubMed, SciELO y Cochrane Library Plus. Six articles published before January 2021 were included. The documentation and quantification of heterogeneity in every meta-analysis were directed through Cochran’s Q test and the statistic I2; additionally, a biased publication analysis was made using funnel plots, whose asymmetry was quantified Egger’s regression. The methodological quality was assessed through McMaster’s. PowerBreath® administering a ≥ 15% resistive load of the maximum inspiratory pressure (PIM) achieves significant improvements (54%) in said pressure within 4 weeks of commencing the inspiratory muscle training. The maximal volume of oxygen (VO2max) considerable enhancements was achieved from the 6 weeks associated with the maximum inspiratory pressure ≥ 21.5% post inspiratory muscle training onwards. Conversely, a significant blood lactate concentration decrement occurred from the 4th week of inspiratory muscle training, after a maximum inspiratory pressure ≥ 6.8% increment. PowerBreath® is a useful device to stimulate sport performance and increase pulmonary function.