Struggling to Breathe: Inspiratory Muscle Training in Adolescent Athletes

Abstract

Dyspnea is a primary characteristic of exercise-induced laryngeal obstruction and prevents individuals from inhaling and exhaling without effort. This single subject research study investigated the effects of inspiratory muscle training (IMT) on exercise-induced symptoms characteristic of exercise-induced laryngeal obstruction in adolescent athletes. Five weeks of IMT was provided to five adolescent athletes, four females and one male, aged 10 to 16. Variables that were measured prior to, during, and after completion of IMT program included maximum phonation time, maximum perceived breathlessness, duration of running, and quality of life regarding dyspnea. Results showed a reduction in maximum perceived breathlessness as well as a significant increase in maximum phonation time across participants. The majority of participants rated their quality of life regarding dyspnea as significant improved after IMT. These findings contribute to the increasing body of literature investigating the use of alternative therapy strategies for treatment of symptoms of exercise-induced laryngeal obstruction in adolescent athletes.