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Effects of Inspiratory Training on Respiratory Function in Swimming

NCT07595341 · Status: ENROLLING_BY_INVITATION · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 34

Last updated 2026-05-19

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

Introduction:

The diaphragm is the primary inspiratory muscle and plays a key role in ventilation, trunk stability, and exercise efficiency. Its dysfunction is associated with early fatigue, increased respiratory work, and reduced performance. Inspiratory muscle training (IMT) has been shown to improve respiratory function and exercise tolerance. Swimming, due to its specific characteristics, imposes an additional demand on the respiratory muscles.

Objective:

To evaluate the effects of an IMT program on diaphragmatic function, respiratory variables, cardiorespiratory response, and performance in swimmers.

Methods:

A randomized, parallel, double-blind clinical trial with 34 swimmers. The experimental group will perform an 8-week IMT program with progressive loads, while the control group will use a sham device without resistance. Diaphragmatic function will be assessed using ultrasound (thickness and excursion), along with respiratory variables (MIP, FEV₁, MEP, FVC), cardiovascular variables (heart rate, HRV), metabolic variables (lactate), and performance (100 m test).

Expected results:

IMT is expected to improve diaphragmatic function, increase inspiratory muscle strength, enhance ventilatory efficiency, and reduce respiratory fatigue, leading to improvements in performance and physiological responses to exercise.

Conclusion:

IMT could be an effective strategy to enhance respiratory function and swimming performance. This study provides a novel approach by incorporating ultrasound assessment of the diaphragm in an aquatic exercise context.

Conditions

  • Swimming
  • Inspiratory Muscle Strength
  • Inspiratory Muscle Training

Interventions

DEVICE

Placebo

The control group will use the same device without resistance, maintaining the same breathing frequency and volume to control for the placebo effect.

DEVICE

Inspiratory training

The experimental group will perform an eight-week home-based training program using the POWERbreathe EX1-MR device, individually calibrated according to MIP. Participants will complete 30 deep inspirations per session, twice daily, seven days a week, with progressive intensities: 30% of initial MIP during weeks 1-2, 50% of the new MIP during weeks 3-4, 60% during weeks 5-6, and 70% of MIP during weeks 7-8, with the aim of familiarizing participants with the device and progressively adapting the diaphragm to increasing loads.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Universidad Rey Juan Carlos

    lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

  • Agustin c Velazquez · Universidad Rey Juan Carlos

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2026-09-30
Primary Completion
2026-12-31
Completion
2027-01-31

Countries

  • Spain

Study Locations

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Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT07595341 on ClinicalTrials.gov