Clinical trials

This study aims to examine the effects of inspiratory muscle warm-up (IMW) on the gas exchange capacity of the lungs (DLCO) and its potential contribution to recovery and athletic performance in elite athletes from various disciplines. The study hypothesizes that the decline in respiratory muscle capacity following high-intensity exercise, which negatively affects ventilation, diffusion, and oxygen transport, may be ameliorated through specific IMW protocol. A placebo-controlled, randomized, crossover, and double-blind design will be utilized, involving 28 elite male athletes from endurance, power, skill-based, and mixed disciplines. Participants will complete three warm-up protocols: General Warm-up (GW), General Warm-up combined with IMW at 40% resistance intensity (GW+IMW40%), and a placebo condition (GW+IMWplacebo). Measurements will include respiratory muscle strength, DLCO (assessed at post-2, 30, 60, 90, and 120 minutes), respiratory function, and cardiorespiratory parameters during maximal exercise. This study is unique as it aims to detail the micro-level effects of IMW on pulmonary diffusion mechanisms and performance outcomes, providing novel insights into the ameliorative effects of IMW on respiratory function post-exercise. Additionally, it seeks to expand understanding of the mechanistic basis of IMW's benefits on both pulmonary diffusion capacity and athletic performance.

Several studies suggest that inspiratory muscle warm-up (IMW) could potentially affect exercise performance; however, its mechanistic basis is still unclear. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of IMW on lung diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide, cardiorespiratory, perceptual and performance outcomes in elite athletes from different disciplines. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of IMW on diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide, cardiorespiratory, perceptual and performance outcomes during high-intensity exercise in elite athletes from different disciplines. The study will be conducted using a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind and crossover study experimental design involving 35 athletes from various sports disciplines, including endurance, strength, skill-based, and mixed disciplines. Participants will attend the laboratory on four separate occasions. During the first visit, they will be informed about the study and familiarized with the application and measurement procedures. In the second visit, a general warm-up will be performed. During the third and fourth visits, IMW (IMW40% or IMW placebo) protocols will be applied in addition to the general warm-up. Measurements of DLCO, pulmonary function tests, respiratory muscle strength, and gas analysis during maximal aerobic exercise will be collected both before and after the warm-up protocols.