Differential Effects of Inspiratory Muscle Training Between Athletes and Performing Artists

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine whether inspiratory muscle training (IMT) had differential effects between athletes and performing artist's diaphragm performance. It was hypothesized that the performing artists would experience greater improvements in diaphragm performance than the athletes following an IMT program. The two groups underwent IMT by breathing through an IMT device 2 times every day for 9–11 weeks at 50% of their maximal inspiratory pressure (IP) for 30 seconds. Following IMT there was a significant increase (p<0.05) in maximal IP for athletes (2.7 mmHg or a 24% increase) and performing artists (5.8 mmHg or a 28.5% increase) compared to the control group (1.8 mmHg or a 13.1% increase). No significant difference in maximal expiratory flow rate (EFR) was observed between the groups or compared to controls. While athletes and performing artists both experienced significant improvements in diaphragm performance following the IMT program compared to the control group, no significant difference was observed between the groups for their percent change in IP or EFR. These results show that the magnitude of the effect of the IMT program between athletes and performing artists was equal. The data suggests that performing artists' diaphragm performance responds similarly to athletes' following a IMT program, which is likely due to regular use of their respiratory muscles when practicing for performancesThis abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.