Effects of Individualized Training and Respiratory Muscle Training on Pulmonary Function among Collegiate Swimmers: an Experimental Study

Abstract

The study aimed to examine the effect of individualized (IT) and respiratory muscle training (RMT) on pulmonary function among collegiate swimmers.
 Materials and methods. The study recruited 43 healthy collegiate swimmers aged 18 to 25, and they were freestyle non-elite swimmers who swam at least three days a week. The participants were divided into three groups of Usual training (Control Group A), Respiratory muscle training (Experimental Group B) and Combination of respiratory muscle training and individualized training (Experimental Group C). The repeated measures two-way ANOVA was used to evaluate the differences within and between (time x group) the groups upon completion of the four-week intervention.
 Results. Both experimental groups (Group B and C) showed significant improvement within the groups. Whereas in between-group comparison, Group C (RMT and IT) showed tremendous improvement with significant differences in FVC value, predicted FVC value (percent), FEV1, FEV (percent), and predicted MVV, with the exception of the FEV1/FVC predicted ratio percent.
 Conclusions. When RMT and IT are used combined, swimmers’ performance increases more than when RMT and usual training are used separately. The findings suggest that training instructors may adapt RMT and IT techniques to fit the individual demands of swimmers in order to increase progress and performance efficiency, especially among competitive swimmers.