The Effect of Respiratory Muscle Warm-up on Pulmonary Diffusion Capacity in Athletes

Official title

Effects of Inspiratory Muscle Warm-up on Diffusion Capacity for Carbon Monoxide, Cardiorespiratory, Perceptual and Performance Outcomes During High-intensity Exercise in Elite Athletes from Different Disciplines: a Randomized, Placebo-controlled, Double-blind and Crossover Study

Overview

Several studies suggest that inspiratory muscle warm-up (IMW) could potentially affect exercise performance; however, its mechanistic basis is still unclear. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of IMW on lung diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide, cardiorespiratory, perceptual and performance outcomes in elite athletes from different disciplines. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of IMW on diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide, cardiorespiratory, perceptual and performance outcomes during high-intensity exercise in elite athletes from different disciplines. The study will be conducted using a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind and crossover study experimental design involving 35 athletes from various sports disciplines, including endurance, strength, skill-based, and mixed disciplines. Participants will attend the laboratory on four separate occasions. During the first visit, they will be informed about the study and familiarized with the application and measurement procedures. In the second visit, a general warm-up will be performed. During the third and fourth visits, IMW (IMW40% or IMW placebo) protocols will be applied in addition to the general warm-up. Measurements of DLCO, pulmonary function tests, respiratory muscle strength, and gas analysis during maximal aerobic exercise will be collected both before and after the warm-up protocols.

Detailed description

A. STUDY DESING This study will employ a placebo-controlled, randomized, crossover, and double-blind research design to evaluate the effects of three warm-up conditions: Control, Placebo 15%, and IMW 40%. Athletes will be randomly assigned to the conditions using a crossover approach, ensuring that all participants will experience each protocol on separate days.

The warm-up protocols will include:

General Warm-up (Control): A standard warm-up without resistance. IMW 40%: A general warm-up combined with respiratory muscle exercise at 40% resistance.

Placebo 15%: A general warm-up combined with placebo respiratory muscle exercise at 15% resistance.

Blinding will be maintained for both participants and researchers. Participants will be informed that the study aims to investigate various warm-up types, while the true purpose will remain concealed. This design will ensure reliability and minimize bias in the data to be collected.

Interventions

• Other Inspiratory muscle warm-up
  This study will use a respiratory muscle warm-up protocol set at 40% of the maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) using the POWERbreath® device, as this intensity has been shown to optimally stimulate respiratory muscles. The protocol involves two sets of 30 breaths with a 60-second rest between sets, performed with participants sitting and using a nose clip. Participants will be trained in this technique during the familiarization session and monitored throughout the tests to ensure proper executi
• Other General warm-up (Control)
  The general warm-up (Control) protocol will include exercises such as running and dynamic, active, and passive movements tailored to the diverse sports disciplines in the study. These movements will follow the principles of elevation, activation, and mobilization, focusing on increasing mobility from the arms and shoulders to the lower back and legs. Each session will involve demonstrations emphasizing proper technique and speed, with participants completing a consistent number of repetitions. R
• Other Inspiratory muscle warm-up placebo (IMW %15)
  The respiratory muscle warm-up protocol will be conducted at 15% of maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) using the POWERbreath® device. This placebo protocol will involve two sets of 30 breaths, separated by a 60-second rest, with participants seated and wearing a nose clip. Training for the technique will occur during a familiarization session, and participants will be observed during tests to ensure proper execution. The purpose of this protocol is to serve as a placebo, masking the actual aim o

Primary outcome measures

• Lung Carbon Monoxide Diffusion Capacity (DLCO) [Time frame: Pre intervention and immediately post intervention]
• Pulmonary Functions [Time frame: Pre intervention and immediately post intervention]
• Respiratory Muscle Strength [Time frame: Pre intervention and immediately post intervention]
• Respiratory Muscle Strength [Time frame: Pre intervention and immediately post intervention]
• Bicycle ergometer and Maximal Aerobic Capacity (VO2max) [Time frame: Pre intervention and immediately post intervention]

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion criteria

• Age between 18-24 years.
• A training history of at least six years.
• Regular training frequency of at least four sessions per week.

Exclusion criteria

• History of smoking.
• History of physical disability or acute respiratory or cardiovascular disease within the past three months.
• Diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 within the past three months.
• Pulmonary function measurements outside the normal clinical range (≤ 80%).

Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.

Healthy volunteers: Yes

Study design

Allocation

Randomized

Model

Crossover

Masking

Double blind

Primary purpose

Other

Study locations

Center list to be confirmed — check the primary protocol.

Identifiers

NCT: NCT06736236 · PYO.YDS.1901.22.002

Primary sources (government registries)

• ClinicalTrials.gov (US NIH)

View this study on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗