The effects of inspiratory resistive loading on respiratory and locomotors muscle oxygenation during high intensity exercise in female soccer players

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Female athletes are more susceptible to expiratory flow limitation and arterial hypoxemia during high-intensity exercise compared to men, which might induce to diaphragmatic fatigue with negative consequences to muscle blood flow supply to respiratory and peripheral muscles. AIM: To assess the impact of inspiratory resistive loading (IRV) on respiratory and peripheral muscle oxygenation in female soccer players (FSP). METHODS: Twenty elite FSP were recruited. After an incremental cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPX) on a treadmill, they performed (on a different day) two high-intensity constant velocity testing to the limit of the tolerance-T lim (100% of peak CPX). During these bouts they breathed through a resistive load of 15cmH 2 O or sham . Peripheral and respiratory muscle oxygenation by near-infrared spectroscopy, breath-by-breath ventilatory and metabolic variables and blood lactate ([La + ]) were measured. RESULTS: IRV was associated with significant increases in [La + ]/T lim and lower T lim compared to sham (224.4±54.2 vs 77.7±19.7, P CONCLUSION: IRV decreases peripheral muscle oxygenation (likely secondary to impaired blood flow) and exercise performance in FSP. Respiratory muscle training may prove helpful to enhance exercise performance in these athletes. Financial Support; CNPq: 487385/2013-6 and 400442/2014-0.