Several studies have demonstrated that the respiratory muscles of normal adults can be specifically trained using a range of stimuli. However, the effect that respiratory muscle training has upon whole body exercise performance remains equivocal. Furthermore, the effectiveness of pressure threshold inspiratory muscle training (IMT) has yet to be appraised in non-clinical groups. Thus, the purpose of the present thesis was to establish the effects of IMT upon exercise performance in endurance trained individuals. To this end, a number of intermediate objectives were achieved; these included design and manufacture of a suitable IMT device and elucidation of an appropriate training regime. IMT was shown to enhance high-intensity sub-maximal cycling time to exhaustion following a four week intervention. Although gas exchange and ventilatory parameters remained unchanged, blood lactate concentration and ratings of perceived exertion were attenuated significantly following the intervention. Whilst the present thesis did not examine the aetiology underlying the ergogenic properties of IMT, it is reasonable to suggest that the physiological and psychological consequences of increased inspiratory muscle performance are functionally relevant in the context of exercise. A closer examination of potential mechanisms remains the focus for the future research if these phenomena are to be explained.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:511707 |
| Date | January 1999 |
| Creators | Caine, M. P. |
| Publisher | University of Birmingham |
| Source Sets | Ethos UK |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
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