Nava, S., Zanotti, E., Rampulla, C., & Rossi, A. (1992). Respiratory muscle fatigue does not limit exercise performance during a moderate endurance run. Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness, 32, 39-44.

Well-trained athletes were evaluated for respiration factors before, during, and after an all-out 17 km run. It was found that respiratory "strength" and other factors remained constant during the task. Exercise in well-trained individuals does not cause the work of respiration to become a debilitating factor.

Implication. The work of breathing is not a limiting or debilitating factor in well-trained athletes over moderate-distance endurance tasks.

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