The aim of this study was to analyse the influence of inspiratory muscle training (IMT) on ventilatory efficiency, in normoxia and hypoxia, and to investigate the relationship between ventilatory efficiency and cycling performance. Sixteen sport students (23.05±4.7 years; 175.11±7.1 cm; 67.0±19.4 kg; 46.4±8.7 ml·kg-1·min-1) were randomly assigned to an inspiratory muscle training group (IMTG) and a control group (CG). The IMTG performed 2 training sessions/day (30 inspiratory breaths, 50% peak inspiratory pressure (Pimax), 5 days/wk, 6-wks. Before and after the training period subjects carried out an incremental exercise test to exhaustion with gas analysis, lung function testing and a cycling time trial test in hypoxia and normoxia. Simulated hypoxia (FiO2=16.45%), significantly altered the ventilatory efficiency response in all subjects (p<0.05). Pimax increased significantly in the IMTG whereas no changes occurred in the CG (time x group, p<0.05). Within group analyses showed that the IMTG improved ventilatory efficiency (VE/VCO2 slope; EqCO2VT2) in hypoxia (p<0.05) and cycling time trial performance (WTTmax(W); WTTmean(W); PTF(W)) (p<0.05) in hypoxia and normoxia. Significant correlations were not found in hypoxia nor normoxia found between ventilatory efficiency parameters (VE/VCO2 slope; LEqCO2; EqCO2VT2) and time trial performance. On the contrary the oxygen uptake efficiency slope (OUES) was highly correlated with cycling time trial performance (r=0.89; r=0.82; p<0.001) under both conditions. Even though no interaction effect was found, the within group analysis may suggest that IMT reduces the negative effects of hypoxia on ventilatory efficiency. In addition, the data suggest that OUES plays an important role in submaximal cycling performance.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the ventilatory efficiency (V E /VCO 2 slope) and the respiratory control (Vt/Ti slope) in a wide range of athletes and describe the influence of fitness level, age, ergometer type or BMI on these parameters. Ninety-one males (30.4±10.53 years; 175.52±7.45...

Background The long-term impact of cancer treatment is associated with respiratory dysfunction and physical fitness impairment. Although inspiratory muscle training (IMT) has been shown as an effective exercise therapy in cancer survivors, there is no evidence on the optimal dose, application moment nor specific population effects of this intervention. The main objective of this meta-analysis is to analyse the effects of IMT on pulmonary function, physical fitness and quality of life (QoL) in cancer survivors. Methods This systematic review and meta-analysis was preregistered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) register and conducted according to the Preferred Reporting for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis statement. We used a Bayesian multilevel random-effects meta-analysis model to pool the data. Multilevel metaregression models were used to examine the conditional effects of our covariates. Convergence and model fit were evaluated through specific model parameters. Sensitivity analyses removing influential cases and using a frequentist approach were carried out. Results Pooled data showed that IMT intervention is effective to improve pulmonary function (standardised mean difference=0.53, 95% credible interval 0.13 to 0.94, SE=0.19). However, IMT did not present statistically significant results on physical fitness and QoL. Metaregression analyses found that the type of cancer, the moment of application and the evaluation tool used had significant moderation effects on pulmonary function. Conclusion IMT could be an important part in the management of side effects suffered by cancer survivors. Considering the current evidence, this intervention is highly recommended in patients diagnosed with oesophageal and lung cancers. IMT may provide superior benefits before the biological treatment and after the surgery. PROSPERO registration number 304909.