Thoracic loads (i.e., a heavy backpack) commonly used in occupational and recreational settings significantly challenge human physiological systems and increase the work of breathing, which may promote respiratory muscle fatigue and negatively impacts whole body performance during physical tasks. Accordingly this thesis: (Chapter number: II) designed a laboratory based protocol that closely reflects occupational demands and (III) assessed the effect that load carriage (LC) has upon physiological and respiratory muscle function. Consequently the thesis addressed (IV) acute, (V) chronic and (VI) functional inspiratory muscle loading strategies to assess the limitations and trainability of the respiratory muscles to load carriage performance. The novel laboratory protocol, performed wearing a 25 kg backpack load, combined submaximal load carriage (LC; 60 min treadmill march at 6.5 km·h-1) and self-paced time trial exercise (LCTT; 2.4 km) to better reflect the physiological demands of occupational performance (between trials mean difference -0.34 ± 0.89 min, coefficient of variation 10.5%). Following LC, maximal inspiratory muscle pressure (PImax) and maximal expiratory muscle pressure (P¬Emax) were reduced by 11% and 13% respectively (P<0.05), and further by 5% and 6%, respectively (P< 0.05), after LCTT. Acute inspiratory loading (2 × 30 forced inspiratory efforts 40% PImax) following an active warm-up (10 min lactate turnpoint) failed to improve LCTT despite a transient increase in PImax of ~7% (P<0.05). Chronic inspiratory loading (6 wk, 50% PImax, 30 breaths twice daily) increased PImax (31%, p<0.05) reduced HR and perceptual responses post-LC, and improved LCTT (8%, P< 0.05) with no change in a placebo control. Combining IMT with functional core muscle exercises improved PImax and LCTT by 7% and 4% respectively (P< 0.05), which was greater than traditional IMT alone. Acute, chronic and functional inspiratory muscle loading strategies did not protect against respiratory muscle or locomotor muscle fatigue during LC and LCTT.

Cross-sectional studies have shown that well trained endurance athletes frequently have a lower peripheral and central chemoreceptor response (pRc and cRc) and a lower minute ventilation (Ve) during exercise compared to untrained individuals. Some recent prospective studies support these observations. We speculated that the reductions in chemoreceptor response and Ve may be the specific result of the high rates of ventilation occurring during endurance training. To test this idea, subjects performed voluntary eucapnic hyperpnea to simulate exercise hyperpnea while avoiding the metabolic consequences of physical exercise. We therefore examined the effects of respiratory muscle training (RMT: 20x30min sessions of voluntary eucapnic hyperpnea) on the pRc, cR, cycling performance, and Ve. Twenty endurance trained cyclists were randomized into RMT or control-groups. To indicate cRc both the hypercapnic ventilatory response at rest (HCVRr) and during light exercise (HCVRex) were measured in a background of 50% O2. The pRc was assessed by measuring the ventilatory response to a modified Dejours O2 test (4-6 trials of 10-12 breaths of 100% O2) during light exercise. Endurance performance and Ve were measured during a fixed-rate cycling endurance test, performed at 85% of the maximal workload until exhaustion. The RMT-group's cycling endurance improved significantly compared to controls (+3.26±4.98min versus -1.46±3.67min. p=0.027) but Ve was unchanged at all times analyzed. The pRc was significantly reduced in the RMT-group but unchanged in controls (-5.8±6.0% versus +O.1±4.6%, p=O.032). The cRc, both at rest and during exercise, was not significantly altered following RMT in either group. However, the X-intercept of HCVRex exhibited a significant shift to the left (-5.83±10.68mmHg, +O.38±2.48mmHg, p=O.047, RMT-group and controls respectively). The importance of this leftward shift and the reduced pRc, though statistically significant, is unclear because there were no significant changes in Ve during any test nor were there correlations between Ve or performance or the altered chemoreceptor responses. We conclude that exercise hyperpnea, as simulated by RMT in this study, is accompanied by a reduction in pRc and a leftward shift in the HCVRex, and improves cycling endurance; however, the altered chemoreceptor responses had little impact on Ve suggesting that their role in the control of ventilation during exercise is minor.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-02T20:19:28Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 DissLNK.pdf: 1171474 bytes, checksum: f524111b3f383bbcfc7e0b8acef1f078 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2006-02-17 / Universidade Federal de Sao Carlos / The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of three respiratory physiotherapy programs constituted by physical training (PT) on a treadmill and/or respiratory muscle training (RMT) on pulmonary function, respiratory muscle strength (RMS), quality of life (QL), exercise capacity, ventilatory and metabolic variables and dyspnea at rest and during exercise, in patients with COPD, as well as to compare them to subjects of the same age and who have no respiratory disease. Twenty-five patients (68.8±8.3 years old) of both sexes, with moderate-to-severe COPD (FEV1<60% predicted), and ten volunteers who have no respiratory disease of both sexes (67.2±7.4 years old) participated of this study. The patients with COPD were randomized into three groups: the first group (RMTG) underwent 20 minutes sessions of RMT at a resistive load corresponding to 30% of the MIP obtained each week; the second group (PTG) underwent 30 minutes sessions of PT at a work rate corresponding to 70% of the highest heart rate achieved in the symptom-limited cardiorespiratory exercise testing (CRET); and the third group (RMT+PTG) associated 10 minutes of RMT to 15 minutes of PT with the same intensities previously mentioned. All of the programs were constituted by three sessions per week during six consecutive weeks. After treatment, it was observed significant increase of MIP and MEP in RMTG; significant increase of walk distance (WD) in the CRET, decreases of HR and minute ventilation at the same velocity in the CRET after treatment and improvement in the physical capacity domain in the QL questionnaire Short Form 36 (QLQ-SF36) in PTG; and significant increase of MIP, WD in the CRET, decrease of systolic arterial pressure and of blood lactate and improvement of total score of QLQ-SF36 in RMT+PTG. Those findings suggest that the PT associated with RMT seems to be the best alternative among the programs investigated in the present study because as well as providing an evident improvement of exercise capacity and of QL in the patients, it provided an additional effect in the physiological adaptation with better effectiveness in the clearance and/or less production of blood lactate during exercise. / Este estudo teve o objetivo de avaliar os efeitos de três programas de fisioterapia respiratória constituídos por treinamento físico (TF) em esteira e/ou treinamento muscular respiratório (TMR) sobre a função pulmonar, força muscular respiratória (FMR), qualidade de vida (QV), tolerância ao esforço e variáveis ventilatórias, metabólicas e dispnéia no repouso e durante o esforço, em pacientes com DPOC, bem como compará-los com indivíduos da mesma faixa etária e sem patologia respiratória. Participaram deste estudo, 25 pacientes, de ambos os sexos (68,8±8,3 anos), com diagnóstico clínico e espirométrico de DPOC moderada-grave (VEF1<60% do previsto) e 10 indivíduos sem patologia respiratória e na mesma faixa etária dos pacientes (67,2±7,4 anos). Os pacientes foram divididos aleatoriamente em 3 grupos, sendo o primeiro grupo (GTMR) submetido a sessões de 20 minutos de TMR com 30% da PImax obtida a cada semana, o segundo grupo (GTF) submetido a 30 minutos de TF com 70% da freqüência cardíaca máxima atingida no teste de exercício cardiorrespiratório (TECR) sintoma-limitado e o terceiro grupo (GTMR+TF) associava 10 minutos de TMR e 15 minutos de TF com as mesmas intensidades citadas anteriormente. Todos os programas constituíram-se de 3 sessões semanais por 6 semanas consecutivas. Após tratamento, foram observados aumentos significativos da PImax e PEmax no GTMR; aumentos significativos da distância percorrida (DP) no TECR, redução da FC e da ventilação isovelocidade e melhora no domínio capacidade física do questionário de qualidade de vida Short Form 36 (QQV-SF36) no GTF e; aumento significativo da PImax, da DP no TECR, redução da pressão arterial sistólica e concentração sangüínea de lactato tanto isovelocidade quanto no pico do esforço e melhora na pontuação total do QQV-SF36 no GTMR+TF. Os resultados sugerem que o TF associado ao TMR, parece ser a melhor alternativa terapêutica dentre as investigadas no presente estudo, pois, além de proporcionar uma evidente melhora na capacidade funcional e na QV dos pacientes, promoveu um efeito adicional nas adaptações fisiológicas com uma maior eficácia na remoção e/ou menor produção de lactato sangüíneo durante o esforço. Palavras-chave: Treinamento físico, treinamento muscular respiratório, DPOC.

Introduction: In elderly seniors (>80 years), respiratory function may be compromised when, in addition to the presence of comorbidity and loss of mobility, there is also reduced respiratory muscle (RM) strength. The literature has shown that RM training could be an effective method to improve RM function and prevent clinical deterioration, particularly in population with RM weakness.The main purpose of this paper was to assess the effectiveness of RM training on the respiratory muscle strength and endurance of institutionalized elderly women with functional impairment. Method: Fifty-four residents (mean=85 years, SD=6.7) were randomly assigned to either a control (n=27) or training (n=27) group. A supervised training program was developed with Threshold®IMT, five times per week for 6-weeks. The main variables of the intervention were: maximum inspiratory pressure (PImax), maximum expiratory pressure (PEmax) and maximal voluntary ventilation (MVV), all of which were measured at weeks 0, 4, 7 and 10. Results: Statistical analysis revealed no significant differences in PImax (F3,114=1.04, p=0.368, R2=0.027), PEmax (F3,114=1.86, p=0.14, R2=0.047) and MVV (F3,114=1.74, p=0.162, R2=0.044) between the two groups after the intervention. However, the workload significantly improved with the training sessions (F5,100=72.031, p<0.001, R2=0.791). Conclusion: In a 6-week interval-based training program, the threshold loading device does not significantly improve parameters related to RM strength and endurance of the study population.

Introduction: In elderly seniors (>80 years), respiratory function may be compromised when, in addition to the presence of comorbidity and loss of mobility, there is also reduced respiratory muscle (RM) strength. The literature has shown that RM training could be an effective method to improve RM function and prevent clinical deterioration, particularly in population with RM weakness.The main purpose of this paper was to assess the effectiveness of RM training on the respiratory muscle strength and endurance of institutionalized elderly women with functional impairment. Method: Fifty-four residents (mean=85 years, SD=6.7) were randomly assigned to either a control (n=27) or training (n=27) group. A supervised training program was developed with Threshold®IMT, five times per week for 6-weeks. The main variables of the intervention were: maximum inspiratory pressure (PImax), maximum expiratory pressure (PEmax) and maximal voluntary ventilation (MVV), all of which were measured at weeks 0, 4, 7 and 10. Results: Statistical analysis revealed no significant differences in PImax (F3,114=1.04, p=0.368, R2=0.027), PEmax (F3,114=1.86, p=0.14, R2=0.047) and MVV (F3,114=1.74, p=0.162, R2=0.044) between the two groups after the intervention. However, the workload significantly improved with the training sessions (F5,100=72.031, p<0.001, R2=0.791). Conclusion: In a 6-week interval-based training program, the threshold loading device does not significantly improve parameters related to RM strength and endurance of the study population.

Thesis (PhD (Sport Science))--Stellenbosch University, 2008. / The aims of this study were (1) to determine the effect of concurrent respiratory muscle training (RMT) on respiratory muscle (RM) function and aerobic exercise performance in women competitive field hockey players, (2) to determine the effect and time duration of RM detraining on RM function in those who underwent RMT, and (3) to determine the predictors of RM strength and endurance in an athletic population. Twenty two women hockey players underwent a series of kinanthropometric and respiratory muscle function measurements, and were then randomly assigned to an experimental group (EXP, n = 15) who underwent concurrent RMT, and a control group (CON, n = 7) who underwent sham training. Twenty subjects took part in the RM detraining study. Significant improvements in pulmonary function and RM endurance (5 – 9%) were found in both groups after the HT-RMT and HT-ST interventions, while EXP also showed a significant improvement in RM strength variables (13% in MIP, 9% in MEP). MEF50% was the only variable that showed a significant difference in the changes over time after 20 weeks of DT between EXP and CON. RM strength in both groups remained relatively unchanged over the DT period. RM endurance in both groups remained unchanged after 9 weeks of DT, but decreased significantly after 20 weeks of DT in EXP. It was concluded that the intensity and duration of both the HT-RMT and HT-ST programmes were adequate to elicit training adaptations in the RM. In both groups there was a complete reversal in lung volumes after 9 weeks and a tendency of a reversal in RM endurance after 20 weeks of DT. It is suggested that a RMT programme should be incorporated every 9 weeks in the training schedule of field hockey players, to maintain improved RM function.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of 4 week respiratory muscle training (RMT) on intermittent recovery performance, pulmonary functions and maximum oxygen consumption capacity (Vo2max) of young soccer players. Eighteen young soccer player who were playing in the Turkey PAF League (league for candidate professional soccer players) from Hacettepe Sports Club with a mean age of 18.4 &plusmn / 0.8 years (ranging from 17 to 19 years) and 8.5 &plusmn / 0.7 (ranging from 7 to 9 years) years experience in soccer participated. Players&rsquo / weekly metabolic equivalent score (MET) was 120. Their maximum oxygen consumption (Vo2max) on a treadmill, pulmonary function with a spirometer, and recovery performance with a yo-yo intermittent recovery test level 2 were measured and then they were randomly assigned into two groups as either RMT (n = 9) or control (n = 9). The RMT group continued both their regular training and RMT treatment with a commercially available powerlung sport respiratory muscle trainer (Powerlung Inc., TX, and USA) for 4 weeks. The control group only continued with their regular training. After completing 4 week RMT implementation (composed of 30 sets of inhalation, two times a day, 5 days of the week), the same tests were performed in order to see the v effects of 4 week RMT treatment on selected parameters mentioned above. Findings of this study indicated that 4 week of RMT treatment significantly improved (% 39) yo-yo intermittent recovery test level 2 performances of the RMT group from pre to post test measurements when compared to subjects in the control group. However, there were no significant improvements in both RMT and control group&rsquo / s Vo2max capacity, Vital capacity (VC), Forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory flow (FEV1.0) and Peak expiratory flow performances (PEF). As a conclusion, 4 week of RMT implementation improves the intermittent recovery performance of young soccer players.

- examination and treatment took place in ambulant facility REHAMIL s.r.o. in Lysá nad f PhDr. Jitka Malá, PhD and pneumologist MUDr. Šárka Klimešová, PhD. g's dyspnea scale, Otto inclination and reclination distance, respiratory the reduction in exertional dyspnea assessed by the Borg's dyspnea scale (p