Volianitis, S. McConnell, Alison, K.; Koutedakis, Yiannis; McNaughton,
Lars; Backx, Karrianne; Jones, David, A.
Inspiratory
muscle training
improves rowing performance. Medicine and Science in Sports and
Exercise, 33(5): 803-809; 2001.
Examines the effect of resistive
inspiratory muscle training (IMT) on rowing performance. Female competitive rowers
were split into two groups: the experimental group (N = 7) engaged in
an 11-week IMT training program, while the control group (N = 7)
completed a placebo exercise. Inspiratory mouth pressure, a measure of
inspiratory power, was measured before and after the 11-week period,
showing a
significant increase in the IMT group compared to the placebo
(p < .05). 6 minute all-out rowing pre- and post-tests showed
significant increases in distance within each group (p < .05). The
IMT group also had significant increases in distance compared to the
placebo (p <.05). The results of the 5000m pre-test and a test 4
weeks into the training period showed significant decreases in time
between groups (p < .05). A pre- and post- submaximal incremental
load test revealed significant decreases in blood lactate for both
groups (p < .05). Respiratory muscle fatigue significantly decreased
for the IMT group over the training period (p < .01) and between the
groups (p < .05). The increase in rowing performance for the IMT
group demonstrates the practical application of IMT in rowing training.
The results of the physiological tests also imply the usefulness of
this exercise in endurance events. Possibilities for further study
using larger sample sizes of competitive athletes are recommended.