| dc.description.abstract | Respiratory muscle training is known to improve
respiratory functions and performance in
sportsmen. The aim of this study was to determine
effects of a 12-week specific respiratory muscle
training program on the rowing performance and
respiratory functions in elite Sri Lankan rowers. A
case controlled randomized study was conducted
on 20 male rowers (test group n=11; control group
n=9) aged 20-35 years during the competitive
period. At the beginning of the study, assessment
of lung volumes and capacities namely; peak
inspiratory flows (PIF), peak expiratory flows
(PEF), vital capacity (VC), forced vital capacity
(FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 second
(FEV1) and FVC/ FEV1 were done using a
portable spirometer while respiratory muscle
strength (RMS), maximal inspiratory (PImax) and
expiratory pressures (PEmax) were measured
using a mouth pressure meter in all rowers.
Performance was assessed by the 2000 m and 5000
m rowing ergometer. Subsequently, rowers in the
test group were prescribed a respiratory muscle
strengthening exercise program consisting of a
warm up session, flexibility training, inspiratory
and expiratory muscle strengthening while the
control group was prescribed a “general exercise
program” for non-respiratory muscles for a
12 week period after which the all respiratory
parameters and performance were assessed. The
mean ergometer time trial for test and control
groups were 2000 m (6.3+ 0.2, 7.2+ 0.2 minutes) and
5000 m (18.2 + 0.7, 19.5+ 0.3 minutes) respectively.
The mean lung parameters for the test and control
groups were PIF: (2.5+ 0.6, 3.3+ 0.9), PEF: (14.5+
1.2, 14.8+ 1.5), VC: (8.3+ 1.4, 7.9+ 1.5), FVC: (7.0+
0.8, 6.4+ 1.4), FEV1:(6.0+ 0.9, 5.7+ 1.4) and FVC,/
FEV1: (1.2+ 0.1, 1.1+ 0.1) respectively, while the
means for RMS and RMF were IMS: (134.4+ 36.8,
136.8+ 26.1), EMS: (187.4+ 45.4, 180.1+ 36.9), IMF:
(25.4+ 14.9, 20.6+ 20.5) and EMF: (31.8+ 14.4, 29.0+
28.4) respectively. The ergometer performance,
PIF and PEF were significantly higher in the test
group (p<0.05) while no significant difference
was identified in inspiratory, expiratory muscle
strength and fatigue between the two groups
(p>0.05). Results suggest that respiratory muscle
training has a beneficial effect on exercise
performance and rowers’ respiratory functions. | en_US |
