Comparison of different inspiratory muscle warm-up protocols

Abstract

Several studies have shown that inspiratory muscle (IM) training with special devices improves exercise performance in both healthy adults and in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Set of inspirations against lower intensity, usually 40% of maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) has been used for IM warm-up (Volianitis, S. et al. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2001; 33: 1189-1193). Our aim was to compare the effect of warm-up protocols using different intensities and different number of repetitions. Methods: Our study group contained ten men aged 18-34 years with mean (range) height 183 (174-191) cm and weight 84 (72-98) kg. MIP was registered according to international standards (ATS/ERS Statement on respiratory muscle testing, AJRCCM 2002; 166: 518-624) using a hand-held mouth pressure meter (MicroRPM, MicroMedical Ltd, UK). The best value of 3-5 acceptable MIP results was used to calculate the load for IM warm-up before every intervention. Each subject completed four different warm-up protocols on separate visits in random order, using IM training device POWERbreathe (IMT technologies Ltd, Birmingham, UK): 2×30 breaths at 40% MIP, 2×12 breaths at 60% MIP, 2×6 breaths at 80% MIP and 2×30 breaths at 15% MIP (sham protocol). MIP was also registered after each warm-up session. Results: When comparing MIP values before and after warm-up the only significant difference was found with the 60% MIP warm-up option: mean value increased by 6.90 (95% CI: 0.97-12.83) cm H 2 O (p=0.027). Conclusion: inspiratory muscle warm-up with 2×12 breaths at 60% of MIP caused the significant increase in IM strength.