Chow, J. W., Heikkinen, D., Mertens, E., Matthews, T. D., & Paolone, V. J. (2013). Effects of stretch-shortening cycle warm-up on cycling performance in females. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 45(5), Supplement abstract number 1280.

"Respiratory muscle fatigue has been recognized to be a contributing factor to the termination of high-intensity exercise performance due to a sympathetically mediated vasoconstriction response in the peripheral muscles. Inspiratory muscle specific warm-up (2 x 30 repetitions) has been reported to improve performance in several high-intensity activities."

This study determined the effects of performing a 2 x 30 stretch-shortening cycling respiratory muscle warm-up on cycling performance in highly-fit females (N = 50). A control trial involved a five-minute whole-body warm-up cycling at 40% of peak power output. The experimental trial consisted of 2 x 30 breathing exercises following the five-minute whole-body warm-up. Maximum expiratory volume and maximum inspiratory volume were assessed after the warm-up routines and post-exercise. Ss exercised at 85% of peak power output until volitional fatigue. During the exercise test, minute ventilation, relative volume of oxygen consumption, tidal volume, breathing frequency, rating of perceived breathlessness, respiratory exchange ratio, and breathing economy were measured every minute. Time to exhaustion was also measured to assess performance.

No significant differences were observed between the treatment and control for maximum inspiratory volume, maximum expiratory volume, minute ventilation, relative volume of oxygen consumption, tidal volume, breathing frequency, rating of perceived breathlessness, respiratory exchange ratio, and breathing economy. Expected physiological responses to the exercise were observed over time for minute ventilation, relative volume of oxygen consumption, tidal volume, breathing frequency, rating of perceived breathlessness, respiratory exchange ratio, and breathing economy. No significant differences were observed for maximum inspiratory volume. Maximum expiratory volume was significantly reduced post-exercise.

Implication. Performing the 2 x 30 repetitions of stretch-shortening cycling respiratory warm-up breathing exercises with whole body warm-up appeared to have an ergolytic effect (impairs performance) on cycling by emphasizing respiratory muscle fatigue which induced the sympathetically mediated vasoconstriction response in the peripheral muscles.

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