The effects of six weeks of threshold pressure inspiratory muscle training (IMT) on inspiratory muscle performance, breathing pattern and exercise performance were studied in eight patients with severe airflow obstruction. The results indicated that IMT improved inspiratory muscle performance but did not affect exercise performance or breathing pattern during maximal exercise.

A major decline in pulmonary function is observed on the first day after upper abdominal surgery. This decline can reduce vital and inspiratory capacity and can culminate in restrictive lung diseases that cause atelectasis, reduced diaphragm movement, and respiratory insufficiency. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of preoperative ambulatory respiratory muscle training in...

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to evaluate the pressure-flow specificity of adaptations to inspiratory muscle training (IMT), in addition to the temporal effects of detraining and reduced frequency of training upon these adaptations. METHODS Twenty-four healthy subjects were assigned randomly to one of four groups (A: low-flow-high-pressure IMT; B: high-flow-low-pressure IMT; C: interm...

We hypothesized that resistive breathing of moderate to high intensity might increase diaphragm oxidative stress, which could be partially attenuated by antioxidants. Our objective was to assess the levels of oxidative stress in the dog diaphragm after respiratory muscle training of a wide range of intensities and whether N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) might act as an antioxidant. Twelve Beagle dogs w...

OBJECTIVES This study sought to evaluate the effects of inspiratory muscle training in inspiratory muscle strength, as well as in functional capacity, ventilatory responses to exercise, recovery oxygen uptake kinetics, and quality of life in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) and inspiratory muscle weakness. BACKGROUND Patients with CHF may have reduced strength and endurance in inspirat...

Inspiratory muscle function is impaired in many patients with severe COPD. This functional impairment often leads to hypercapnic respiratory failure via inspiratory muscle fatigue. Factors responsible for this functional impairment are: (1) an excessive mechanical load (high resistance and low compliance) for the inspiratory muscles to overcome; (2) the low, flat configuration of the diaphragm ...

BACKGROUND Hypertension is a complex chronic condition characterized by elevated arterial blood pressure. Management of hypertension includes non-pharmacologic strategies, which may include techniques that effectively reduce autonomic sympathetic activity. Respiratory exercises improve autonomic control over cardiovascular system and attenuate muscle metaboreflex. Because of these effects, resp...