Respiratory muscle strength and aerobic performance of wheelchair basketball players

Respiratory Muscle Strength and Aerobic Performance Among Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Patients: A Correlational Study

Background Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a heterogeneous lung condition, yielding various respiratory symptoms and categorized under several descriptors: early, mild, young, pre-COPD, and preserved ratio impaired spirometry. COPD is synonymous with symptoms such as dyspnea and cough, in addition to others like exercise intolerance, which result from respiratory muscle weakness. Therefore, the emergence of respiratory strength assessment tools for such patients is not surprising. However, evidence is limited regarding the impact of respiratory muscle strength on the physical performance of COPD patients. Therefore, this study employs the MicroRPM device (Medikart HealthCare Systems Pvt. Ltd., Delhi, India) to measure maximum inspiratory and expiratory pressure utilizing mouth pressure. Methodology We recruited a total of 40 patients for the study. All patients received a thorough assessment for hemodynamic stability and were categorized according to the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease criteria of COPD. The patients then underwent a training session for the MicroRPM device. We took each patient's inspiratory and expiratory pressure measurements, then determined their six-minute walk distance and modified the Borg scale rating. Results We observed no significant correlation between maximum inspiratory pressure (Pimax) and six-minute walk distance (r=-0.023, p=0.890) or modified Borg scale (r=-0.044, p=0.788); additionally, the correlation between maximum expiratory pressure (Pemax) and modified Borg scale was not significant (r=-0.192, p=0.235). However, the correlation between Pemax and six-minute walk distance was both negative and significant (r=-0.384, p=0.014). Conclusion Based on our results, respiratory muscle strength can influence the aerobic performance of COPD patients.

Effects of Inspiratory Muscle Training With Progressive Loading on Respiratory Muscle Function and Sports Performance in High-Performance Wheelchair Basketball Athletes: A Randomized Clinical Trial

PURPOSE

To evaluate the effects of inspiratory muscle training associated with interval training on respiratory muscle strength and fatigue and aerobic physical performance (PP) in high-performance wheelchair basketball athletes.

METHODS

Blinded, randomized clinical trial with 17 male wheelchair basketball players, randomized into control group (CG; n = 8) and training group (TG; n = 9). Respiratory muscle strength was evaluated by measuring maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressures (MIP and MEP), aerobic PP by the Yo-Yo test for wheelchair, and recovery of inspiratory muscle fatigue was assessed at 1, 5, 10, and 15 minutes after exercise test. TG performed inspiratory muscle training protocol with incremental loading for 12 weeks with 50%, 60%, and 70% of MIP, while CG performed with load 15% of MIP.

RESULTS

After training period, CG presented a significant increase in MIP and MEP (P ≤ .05), with no change in aerobic PP (P ≥ .05). TG showed a significant increase for all variables (≤.05). MIP showed a large effect size for CG (1.00) and TG (1.35), while MEP showed a moderate effect for CG (0.61) and TG (0.73); distance covered had a moderate effect size for TG (0.70). For recovery of inspiratory muscle strength, CG did not present differences, while TG recovered in 10 minutes (≤.05), representing 87% of the pretest value. Positive and significant correlation between MIP and distance (.54; P ≤ .05) was observed.

CONCLUSION

Inspiratory muscle training protocol with progressive loading was more effective for increasing aerobic PP and maximal inspiratory strength recovery.

Effect of inspiratory muscle training (IMT) on aerobic capacity, respiratory muscle strength and rate of perceived exertion in paraplegics

Objectives: The purpose is to study the effect of inspiratory muscle training on aerobic capacity, respiratory muscle strength and rate of perceived exertion in paraplegics.Study Design: Randomized controlled trial.Settings: Rehabilitation department in Indian Spinal Injuries Centre, New Delhi.Participants: A sample of 30 paraplegics (T1-T12) were randomly allocated into two groups: inspiratory muscle training (IMT) group and control group.Interventions: The IMT group received inspiratory muscle training for 15 minutes 5 times a week for 4 weeks whereas the control group was given breathing exercises.Outcome measures: Maximal inspiratory pressure(MIP), maximal expiratory pressure (MEP), modified Borg's scale (MBS), 12 minute wheelchair aerobic test (12MWAT), multistage fitness test (MSFT), and 6 minutes push test (6MPT).Results: Out of 30 participants, 27 completed the study. The results show that after four weeks of IMT training, there were significant improvements in mean change scores of IMT group as compared to control group. Participants in IMT group performed better on 12MWAT (P = 0.001), MSFT (P = 0.001) and 6MPT (P = 0.001). Improvements in MIP scores (P = 0.001), MEP scores (P = 0.001) and MBS scores (P = 0.004) were also seen in IMT group.Conclusion: Both groups showed significant improvements, however inspiratory muscle training was seen to be more effective than deep breathing exercises for improving aerobic capacity, respiratory muscle strength and rate of perceived exertion in paraplegics.

Comparison of Aerobic Performance Testing Protocols in Elite Male Wheelchair Basketball Players

In wheelchair sports, aerobic performance is commonly assessed with the use of an arm crank ergometer (ACE), a wheelchair ergometer (WCE) or a wheelchair treadmill (WCT). There are different protocols to identify peak oxygen uptake in wheelchair sports; however, only a few protocols have been applied to evaluate these conditions in wheelchair basketball players. The purpose of this study was to compare physiological responses during maximal exercise testing with the use of ACE and WCT in wheelchair basketball players. Twelve elite male wheelchair basketball players participated in this study. The research was performed during a training camp of the Polish National Wheelchair Basketball Team. The study participants were divided into two functional categories: A (players with class 1.0 - 2.5) and B (players with class 3.0 - 4.5). Two main maximal exercise tests, i.e. wheelchair treadmill stress test (WCT test) and arm crank ergometer stress test (ACE test) were used to evaluate aerobic performance of the players. There were no statistically significant differences in aerobic tests between the players from both groups. The comparison of results achieved in two aerobic tests performed on WCT and ACE did not reveal any significant differences between the analyzed variables (peak heart rate (HRpeak), peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak), minute ventilation (VE), anaerobic threshold (AT), lactate concentration (LApeak), and a drop in lactate concentration (%LA)). Strong correlations between results achieved in WCT and ACE tests were found for VO2peak, VE and LApeak. The main conclusion of the study is that both WCT and ACE tests may be useful when determining aerobic capacity of wheelchair basketball players. Moreover, both protocols can be used by athletes regardless of their functional capabilities and types of impairment.