Effects of High-Intensity Inspiratory Muscle Training in Rugby Players

Abstract

Introduction: Rugby is a sport characterized by high and low intensity motor action. Therefore, the respiratory muscles need adequate work to maintain sustained effective breathing. Objective: To analyze the effects of high-intensity inspiratory muscle training (IMT) in amateur rugby players from the city of Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Methods: This is a clinical study in which 20 amateur players underwent a pulmonary function test, respiratory muscle strength and physical capacity assessment. The participants were divided into two groups: 10 volunteers in the IMT group (G1) and 10 in the control group (G2). All the assessments were carried out before and after 12 weeks of IMT. Results: No significant changes were observed in the pulmonary function test. However, maximal voluntary ventilation, maximal inspiratory pressure, maximal expiratory pressure and distance increased significantly after IMT. Conclusion: IMT had beneficial effects on amateur rugby players. Level of evidence I; Therapeutic studies - Investigation of treatment results.

The Effects of Manual Therapy and Inspiratory Muscle Training on Respiratory Parameters in Young Adults with Postural Problems: A Randomized Trial

“…In a previous study, three weeks of IMT in rugby players did not show significant increases in FEV1 and FVC. 26 Ramos et al also did not show significant increases in FEV1 and FVC at the end of the twelve sessions of IMT in roller hockey players 27 . In a systematic review, HajGhanbari et al did not reveal a significant increase in FEV1 after IMT in the athletes 28 .…”

Inspiratory Muscle Training in Intermittent Sports Modalities: A Systematic Review

“…Three types of intervention were used, namely: (a) IMT in a chronic protocol (n = 7) [32,37,38,48,[58][59][60]; (b) in an acute protocol before the evaluation test (n = 2) [46,47]; (c) with a combination of chronic and acute protocols (n = 1) [50]. The chronic intervention procedure lasted between five and twelve weeks so that no homogeneity can be seen in them.…”

“…Even though the chronic protocols differed significantly in the number of weekly sessions and total weeks of the proposed protocol, the values of the intensity for the MIP were around 40% and 50%; therefore, it is worth noting that the article by Nunes Júnior et al [60] was the only one included in this review that used a much higher intensity, precisely 80% of the MIP, obtaining very positive values, such as an increase in performance in the Yo-Yo test of ≈14% and a maximum ventilatory volume of 22%. Future research could be directed at assessing IMT with a very high load in higher-level athletes, as it has been studied very little [52,63,64].…”

“…All subjects experienced an increase in maximum expiratory pressure (MEP), ranging from a 9% to 32% improvement, and, it is worth noting that the increase in MEP in the article by Nunes Júnior et al [60] is quite surprising because the device they used was solely and exclusively for the work of the inspiratory muscles. This even exceeded the increase in MEP (≈32% vs. 29%).…”

“…Most studies conducted a chronic treatment of IMT, ranging from 5-12 weeks. The heterogeneity in the number of weekly sessions is very relevant since there are protocols that range from three weekly sessions [60] to fourteen [58]. Despite the considerable differences between them, the vast majority showed significant increases in performance.…”