Effect of specific inspiratory muscle warm-up on intense intermittent run to exhaustion

Tom K. Tong, Frank H. Fu

The effects of inspiratory muscle (IM) warm-up on the maximum dynamic IM function and the maximum repetitions of 20-m shuttle run (Ex) in the Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test were examined. Ten men were recruited to perform identical IM function test and exercise test in three different trials randomly. The control trial was without IM warm-up while the placebo and experimental trials were with IM warm-up by performing two sets of 30 breaths with inspiratory pressure-threshold load equivalent to 15% (IMW(P)) and 40% (IMW) maximum inspiratory mouth pressure, respectively. In IMW, maximum dynamic IM functions including the maximal inspiratory pressure at zero flow (P0) and maximal rate of P0 development (MRPD) were increased compared with control values (P < 0.05). The Ex was also augmented [mean (SD)] [19.5% (12.6)] while the slope of the linear relationship of the increase in rating of perceived breathlessness for every 4th exercise interval (RPB/4i) was reduced (P < 0.05). In IMW(P), although increase in Ex and reduction in RPB/4i were occurred concomitantly in some subjects, the differences in Ex, RPB/4i and dynamic IM functions between control and IMW(P) trials were not statistically significant. For the changes (Delta) in parameters in IMW and IMW(P) (n = 20), negative correlations were found between Delta RPB/4i and Delta Ex (r = -0.92), DeltaP0 and Delta RPB/4i (r = -0.48), and Delta MRPD and Delta RPB/4i (r = -0.54). Such findings suggested that the specific IM warm-up in IMW may entail reduction in breathlessness sensation, partly attributable to the enhancement of dynamic IM functions, in subsequent exhaustive intermittent run and, in turn, improve the exercise tolerance.