Effects of Combined Training with Breathing Resistance and Sustained Physical Exertion to Improve Endurance Capacity and Respiratory Muscle Function in Healthy Young Adults

Abstract

[Purpose] In this study, combined training with breathing resistance and sustained physical exertion was carried out to evaluate its physiological effects and its effect on improve endurance capacity. [Subjects and Methods] The subjects were nine healthy adults (mean age 20.4, SD ± 1.7 years). The combined training group (n = 5) carried out 6 weeks of combined training using a cycle ergometer, with exercise load tests and respiratory function tests performed before and after the training. The results of the training were compared to a control group (n = 4) that only performed the cycling exercise without the combined training with breathing resistance. [Results] In the combined training group, ventilatory threshold, maximal load of the cycle ergometer in exercise load tests, and maximal voluntary ventilation increased after training. These increases after training were all significant, but none of these variables changed significantly in the control group. [Conclusion] The results imply that in comparison to conventional training methods, combined training with breathing resistance and sustained physical exertion is beneficial for increasing endurance capacity and respiratory muscle function. This result provides important information regarding the effects of the new training method for improving endurance capacity.

Effect of Wearing the Elevation Training Mask on Aerobic Capacity, Lung Function, and Hematological Variables

“…When looking at VO 2 max and PPO, the control group increased VO 2 max by 13.5%, and PPO by 9.9% versus increases in VO 2 max of 16.5% and PPO by 13.6% in the mask group. Kido et al (2013) found similar results after 6 weeks of continuous exercise comparing resistive breathing during exercise to exercise alone. The resistive breathing group improved VO 2 max by 18.5% and PPO by 11.1% and the control exercise group improved by VO 2 max by 11.7% and PPO by 11.5%.…”

“…Kido et al (2013) conducted a 6-week training study comparing the physiologic responses of using breathing resistance during continuous exercise to continuous exercise alone; breathing resistance was provided by a ReBNA mask-like device with valves providing inspiratory and expiratory resistance. It was found that training between 75% and 85% of HRR improved VO 2 peak significantly in both exercise only (11.7%) and resistance breathing (18.5%) groups.…”

“…This suggests that greater improvements in performance may be seen by combining breathing resistance with exercise training. However, the study by Kido et al (2013) only had 5 subjects in the mask group, so it was concluded that the effectiveness of resistance breathing on exercise performance required further examination. The Elevation Training Mask 2.0 (ETM) (Training Mask LLC, Cadillac, Michigan) is a new product on the market that claims to enhance athletic performance.…”

Cardiorespiratory response during combined training with breathing resistance and sustained physical exertion: a pilot study

“…Based on this hypothesis, a 6-week combined training with breathing resistance and sustained physical exertionwas performed using a mask-type device that created inspiratory and expiratory resistance while only allowing inhalation through the nose and exhalation through the mouth. A comparison between the results of the 6-week combined training with breathing resistance and sustained physical exertion and a similar intensity physical training without respiratory load showed significant improvement in maximal voluntary ventilation and VT [9]. Compared to the respiratory training methods noted above, combined training with breathing resistance and sustained physical exertion has the following distinctions.…”

“…A previous study aimed at proving the efficacy of combined training with breathing resistance and sustained physical exertion [9]; however the underlying mechanism of how this combined training improves the respiratory function has not been revealed.…”