Swimming is a widely practiced sport with significant physical demands, placing athletes at a considerable risk of injury, particularly in the shoulder, due to repetitive high-intensity movements. The aim of this systematic review was to analyze the patterns and frequency of injuries associated with swimming. Methods: A systematic search of the Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, and SportDiscus databases identified nine relevant studies. Results: The findings revealed a higher incidence of injuries in female swimmers compared to males, with the shoulder being the most frequently affected joint. This disparity is partially attributed to the Female Athlete Triad, a syndrome characterized by low energy availability, menstrual dysfunction, and poor bone health, which increases injury susceptibility. Other commonly affected regions include the knee, often associated with the biomechanical demands of breaststroke, and the lumbar spine, which is impacted by degenerative changes resulting from high training volumes. However, variability in the injury measurement protocols across studies limits their comparability and highlights the need for standardized methods. Conclusions: Based on these findings, professionals in the field can identify injury patterns to enhance diagnosis and treatment, design personalized prevention programs, implement early interventions, and innovate equipment and training methods to improve swimmer safety and performance.

Inspiratory muscle fatigue has been shown to impair physical performance. This study investigated the impact of a specific inspiratory muscle fatigue protocol on lower limb muscle strength and cardiorespiratory outcomes in a cohort of physically active individuals. A randomized controlled trial, adhering to CONSORT guidelines to ensure methodological rigor. Healthy male participants were randomly assigned to an inspiratory muscle fatigue group (EG) or control load group (CG). The EG performed a diaphragmatic fatigue protocol involving inspiratory exercises at 60 % of their maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP), while the CG performed two sets of 30 repetitions at 15 % of MIP. Measurements, including countermovement jump (CMJ), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), FEV1/FVC ratio, half squat (HS), peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO₂) and MIP, were collected before and immediately after the intervention. Forty participants completed the study. Significant group-by-time interactions were found for CMJ (p < 0.001; η2p = 0.405), FEV1 (p = 0.030; η2p = 0.118), FEV1/FVC (p < 0.001; η2p = 0.279) and HS (p < 0.001; η2p = 0.332), all with moderate to large effect sizes. Post-hoc analysis revealed a significant decrease in CMJ in the EG (p < 0.001, −8.4 %), while the CG showed no significant change (p = 0.092). FEV₁/FVC decreased significantly in the EG (p = 0.007, −5.3 %), while the CG showed a significant increase (p = 0.015, +4.7 %). Similarly, HS decreased significantly in the EG (p = 0.002, −6.3 %), while the CG showed a significant increase (p = 0.007, +5.4 %). No significant interactions were observed for SpO₂, heart rate, MIP or FVC. Diaphragmatic fatigue significantly impairs lower limb strength in physically active individuals, potentially compromising athletic performance and increasing injury risk. These findings enhance understanding of the interplay between respiratory and muscular strength in athletes.

Background and Objectives: The aim of this study is to objectively evaluate the effects of a six-week intermittent hypoxic–hyperoxic exposure program on blood pressure, respiratory function, cardiac autonomic nervous activity and C Reactive Protein levels in older adults. Materials and Methods: A double-blinded randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted on twenty-two older adults. Heart rate variability, respiratory function, blood pressure, C Reactive Protein levels and oxygen saturation were measured at two time points: baseline and after 6 weeks of treatment. Results: The maximal inspiratory pressure variable increased significantly in the EG (+7.50 ± 1.72 cmH2O, p < 0.01, ES = 1.17), while no changes were observed in the CG. The LF/HF variable decreased significantly in the EG (−1.23 ± 0.34 n.u, p < 0.01, ES = 1.11), with no significant changes in the CG. The C Reactive Protein variable decreased significantly in the EG (−7.00 ± 3.07 mg/L, p < 0.01, ES = 1.4), with no significant changes in the CG. Conclusions: Six weeks of intermittent hypoxic–hyperoxic exposure was associated with trends toward improvements in blood pressure, respiratory function, cardiac autonomic nervous activity, and C Reactive Protein levels, compared with a placebo application of the same therapy.