Inspiratory muscle training: a simple cost-effective treatment for inspiratory stridor
- 1Centre for Sports Medicine and Human Performance, Brunel University, Uxbridge, UK
- 2Research Institute for Sport and Exercise Science, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK
- Dr John Dickinson, Centre for Sports Medicine and Human Performance, Brunel University, Uxbridge UB8 3PH, UK; johndicko{at}yahoo.co.uk
- Accepted 21 February 2007
- Published Online First 4 May 2007
Abstract
This case study describes the support given to a British elite athlete in the build up to the 2004 Athens Olympic Games. The athlete had complained of breathing symptoms during high intensity training that led to a reduction in performance and premature cessation of training. Following a negative eucapnic voluntary hyperpnoea challenge and observation during high intensity exercise, the athlete was diagnosed with inspiratory stridor. Inspiratory muscle training (IMT) was implemented to attenuate the inspiratory stridor. Following an 11-week IMT programme, the athlete had a 31% increase in mouth inspiratory pressure and a reduction in recovery between high intensity sprints. The athlete reported a precipitous fall in symptoms and was able to complete high intensity training without symptoms. This case shows that IMT is a suitable cost-effective intervention for athletes who present with inspiratory stridor.
Footnotes
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Competing interests: Alison McConnell has a beneficial interest in the Powerbreathe Inspiratory Muscle Trainer in the form of a royalty share on licence income to the University of Birmingham, UK. She also acts as a consultant to Gaiam Ltd.
- Abbreviations:
- EIA
- exercise induced asthma
- IMT
- inspiratory muscle training
