Repeated-Sprint Cycling Does Not Induce Respiratory Muscle Fatigue in Active Adults: Measurements from The Powerbreathe® Inspiratory Muscle Trainer

Abstract

This study examined respiratory muscle strength using the POWERbreathenspiratory muscle trainer (i.e., 'S-Index') before and after repeated-sprint cycling for comparison with maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) values obtained during a Mueller maneuver. The S-Index was measured during six trials across two sessions using the POWERbreathend MIP was measured during three trials in a single session using a custom-made manometer in seven recreationally active adults. Global respiratory muscle strength was measured using both devices before and after the performance of sixteen, 6-s sprints on a cycle ergometer. Intraclass correlation coefficients for the POWERbreathe-index indicated excellent (p < 0.05) trial-to-trial (r = 0.87) and day-to-day (r = 0.90) reliability yet there was no significant correlation (r = -0.35, p = 0.43) between the S-Index measured using the POWERbreathend MIP measured during a Mueller maneuver. Repeated-sprint cycling had no effect on respiratory muscle strength as measured by the POW-ERbreathep > 0.99) and during the Mueller maneuver (p > 0.99). The POWERbreathe-Index is a moderately reliable, but not equivalent, measure of MIP determined during a Mueller maneuver. Furthermore, repeated-sprint cycling does not induce globalized respiratory muscle fatigue in recreationally-active adults.