Acute Effects of Inspiratory Muscle Load on Diaphragmatic Recovery in Athletes

Sierra Varona SL

Status: Not yet enrolling

Conditions: Healthy; Athletic Injuries; Sports Physical Therapy

Treatments: Device: Inspiratory muscle fatigue group; Device: Inspiratory muscle warm-up group

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07046637

020

Details and patient eligibility

About

This randomized controlled trial investigates the acute effects of inspiratory muscle warm-up and fatigue on diaphragmatic function in professional basketball players. Using ultrasound imaging and maximal inspiratory pressure (PIM) assessment, the study evaluates changes in diaphragmatic thickness and respiratory strength before and after specific inspiratory muscle loading protocols. Findings aim to clarify the short-term impact of these interventions on diaphragmatic recovery capacity, with potential implications for respiratory training, performance enhancement, and injury prevention strategies in elite athletic populations.

Enrollment: 38 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 35 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Male and female professional basketball players aged between 18 and 35 years.
• Holding a valid federation license at the autonomous or higher competitive level.
• A minimum of 3 consecutive seasons of competition in official FEB, FIBA, or equivalent regional leagues.
• Regular training frequency of ≥4 sessions per week over the past 6 months.
• No previous experience with inspiratory muscle training.
• Ability to understand study procedures and provide written informed consent.

Exclusion criteria

• History of chronic respiratory, neuromuscular, or cardiovascular disease.
• Musculoskeletal injury limiting inspiratory effort or physical participation (current or within the past three months).
• Previous thoracic or abdominal surgery.
• Current smokers.
• Use of pharmacological treatments that could affect respiratory or muscular function.
• Participation in another interventional study within the past 4 weeks.
• Inability to understand or follow study instructions.
• Tympanic membrane perforation or middle/inner ear pathology.
• Pregnancy or postpartum period within the last 6 months.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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38 participants in 2 patient groups

Inspiratory muscle fatigue group

Experimental group

Description:

The EG (experimental group) will perform the diaphragmatic fatigue protocol using a specific inspiratory endurance test, in which volunteers, one-on-one, and in a single session, will breathe against submaximal inspiratory loads equivalent to 60% of their MIP (Maximum Inspiratory Pressure) through a threshold valve device. The participants will follow a free pattern of breathing until they are unable to establish flow during at least 3 maximum inspiratory efforts.

Treatment:

Device: Inspiratory muscle fatigue group

Inspiratory muscle warm-up group

Active Comparator group

Description:

The inspiratory muscle warm-up group will perform the protocol of 2 sets of 30 repetitions at 40% of their MIP, one-on-one, and in a single session, breathing against submaximal inspiratory loads using a threshold valve device. The participants will follow a free pattern of breathing until complete the protocol.

Treatment:

Device: Inspiratory muscle warm-up group