Brilla, L. R., Schwerdtfeger, K. L., Knutzen, K. M., & Row, B. S. (2009). Effects of inspiratory muscle training on arterial oxygen-hemoglobin saturation in female collegiate endurance runners. ACSM 56th Annual Meeting, Seattle, Washington, Presentation Number 2800.

"This exploratory study was conducted to determine if inspiratory muscle training enhanced arterial oxygen-hemoglobin saturation during exercise. Such enhancement may alleviate exercise induced arterial hypoxia, if present, in runners." Female collegiate endurance runners (N = 7) performed five weeks of daily inspiratory muscle training, while five Ss served as controls. Training was five sets of 12 repetitions per set. To assess the effectiveness of the training program, two treadmill endurance tests were performed pre- and post-inspiratory muscle training. Oxygen-hemoglobin saturation (SaO2) and minute ventilation were measured during the endurance tests. Resting maximal inspiratory pressure was also measured pre- and post-training.

Resting maximal inspiratory pressure improved significantly in the trained Ss. There was no significant change in control Ss. Oxygen-hemoglobin saturation and minute ventilation were similar for both groups, although some Ss changed markedly.

Implication. While there were individual responses to inspiratory muscle training, there were no statistically significant improvements seen in oxygen-hemoglobin saturation and minute ventilation following five weeks of daily inspiratory muscle training in female collegiate endurance runners.

Return to Table of Contents for this issue.