Volianitis, S., McConnell, A. K., Koutedakis, Y., McNaughton, L., Backx, K., & Jones, D. A. (2001). Inspiratory muscle training improves rowing performance. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 33, 803-809.

Female rowers (N = 14) underwent 11 weeks of inspiratory muscle training. Performance was measured on a rowing ergometer with two tasks, a six-minute all-out effort, and a 5K time-trial.

Inspiratory muscle training (IMT) consisted of 30 inspiratory efforts twice daily. The effort level was a resistance equivalent to 50% peak inspiratory mouth pressure. Seven rowers served as a placebo group and performed 60 breaths once daily with a resistance equivalent of 15% peak inspiratory mouth pressure.

Inspiratory muscle strength increased significantly, the 6-min row improved significantly, and the 5K time-trial decreased (36 vs. 11 sec) significantly in the IMT group. Resistance to inspiratory muscle fatigue also improved significantly.

Implication. Inspiratory muscle training improves rowing performance.

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