Document Type

Poster

Publication Date

2026

Abstract

Background

  • High-intensity exercise induces respiratory fatigue and reduces exercise performance via respiratory metaboreflex.1,2
  • Inspiratory muscle training (IMT) has been proven to increase respiratory muscle strength and delay metaboreflex.3-4
  • Two most common IMT methods include use of flow-resistive and pressure-threshold devices.5-6
  • Despite extensive research, current literature remains inconclusive about device superiority.

Purpose

To compare the effectiveness of matched-volume IMT delivered via pressure-threshold versus flow-resistive loading on maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) in healthy adults.

Methods

  • Blinded randomized controlled trial
  • 20 healthy adults enrolled, 19 included in data analysis (12 M, 7 F).
  • Inclusion Criteria: > 18 years of age, English-speaking
  • Exclusion Criteria: chronic health conditions
  • SPSS used for all statistical analysis, RM ANOVA compared pre- and post-MIP for and between interventions.

Results

  • MIP improved significantly by 15.5% in the pressure-threshold group and 18.9% in the flow-resistive group.
  • Significant main effect of time for both groups (p < 0.01).
  • No significant group or interaction main effect existed (p = 0.41)
  • No significant differences were observed in demographic, baseline MIP (p = 0.45), and % predicted MIP (p = 0.47) across the sample.

Conclusion

  • 5-weeks of high-intensity IMT, delivered via pressure-threshold or flow-resistive devices, produced robust and clinically meaningful increases in MIP amongst healthy adults.
  • There was no significant difference observed between the two groups.

Clinical Relevance

  • IMT device choice should be based on setting, lifestyle, and cost.
  • Device selection driven by patient and clinician preference and accessibility.
  • Training load, rather than device type, drives improvements in MIP.
  • Further evaluation of IMT in diseased populations, and correlation of improvements in MIP to functional outcomes.

Download

Share

COinS
 
 

To view the content in your browser, please download Adobe Reader or, alternately,
you may Download the file to your hard drive.

NOTE: The latest versions of Adobe Reader do not support viewing PDF files within Firefox on Mac OS and if you are using a modern (Intel) Mac, there is no official plugin for viewing PDF files within the browser window.