The Influence of Prior Activity Upon Inspiratory Muscle Strength in Rowers and Non-Rowers

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate whether a 'warm-up' phenomenon in the strength of the inspiratory muscles exists, and, under this assumption, whether whole body warm-up protocols or a specific respiratory warm-up is more effective in this respect. Eleven club level rowers performed a rowing warm-up, and twelve university students performed a general cycling warm-up. Both groups also performed a specific respiratory warm-up. Inspiratory muscle strength (Mueller manoeuvre) and lung function (flow-volume loops) were measured before and after the three conditions. Isokinetic strength during knee extension was measured before and after the rowing warm-up. The two whole body warm-up protocols had no effect on inspiratory muscle strength or any lung function parameter despite the significant (3.8+/-SD 1.4%; p<0.05) increase in peak torque that the rowing warm-up elicited. The respiratory warm-up induced a significant increase in inspiratory mouth pressure (8.5+/-1.8%; p<0.0001) but not in any other lung function parameter. Following the rowing incremental test to exhaustion, maximum inspiratory pressure decreased by 7.0+/-2.0%, which is an indication of respiratory muscle fatigue. These data suggest that the inspiratory muscle strength can be enhanced with preliminary activity, a phenomenon similar to the one known to exist for other skeletal muscles. In addition, a specific respiratory warm-up is more effective in this respect than whole body protocols.

Inspiratory muscle warm-up does not improve cycling time-trial performance

“…2006;Volianitis et al 1999;Volianitis et al 2001) and similar increases have also been observed in the maximal rate of inspiratory pressure development (Lin et al 2007;Tong and Fu. 2006).…”

“…An inspiratory muscle warm-up (IMW) comprising inspiratory pressure-threshold loading increases inspiratory muscle strength and the maximum rate of inspiratory pressure development by 10% (Hawkes et al 2007;Lin et al 2007;Lomax et al 2011;Ross et al 2007;Tong and Fu. 2006;Volianitis et al 1999;Volianitis et al 2001). Furthermore, the addition of an IMW to a whole-body active warm-up increased the distance completed during exhaustive intermittent running (Lin et al 2007;Lomax et al 2011;Tong and Fu.…”

“…2003b;Jones et al 2003), typical warm-up protocols elicit only a low-to-moderate ventilatory demand and it has thus been suggested that the respiratory muscles may not be adequately "primed" for the criterion performance task (Volianitis et al 1999). An inspiratory muscle warm-up (IMW) comprising inspiratory pressure-threshold loading increases inspiratory muscle strength and the maximum rate of inspiratory pressure development by 10% (Hawkes et al 2007;Lin et al 2007;Lomax et al 2011;Ross et al 2007;Tong and Fu.…”

Effects of Respiratory Muscle Warm-up on High-Intensity Exercise Performance

“…However, we chose to implement a rest interval that was shorter than previous research as it better reflected practices during normal exercise settings. Others have found performance enhancements when engaging in the RWU 30 min before exercise [25,26]. The optimal rest interval between RWU and exercise remains unclear, but our findings, combined with previous research [25,26], suggest longer may be better than shorter.…”

“…Others have found performance enhancements when engaging in the RWU 30 min before exercise [25,26]. The optimal rest interval between RWU and exercise remains unclear, but our findings, combined with previous research [25,26], suggest longer may be better than shorter. Secondly, the limitations of the RWU device precluded us from controlling and/or quantifying inspiratory pressure or flow rate during the RWU, meaning we could not standardize conditions between or within participants.…”