Land- and Water-based Inspiratory Muscle Training in Young Swimmers (IMT)

Ondokuz Mayıs University

Status: Enrolling

Conditions: Sport Performance; Inspiratory Muscle Training

Treatments: Device: Water-Based Static Inspiratory Muscle Training; Device: Swimming-Based Inspiratory Muscle Training; Device: Land-Based Inspiratory Muscle Training

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07493837

OMU KAEK 2025/223

Details and patient eligibility

About

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of four weeks of land- and water-based inspiratory muscle training (IMT) on performance and selected physiological variables in young swimmers. A total of 30 competitive swimmers (22 males and 8 females), who have been training regularly for at least two years, will be voluntarily recruited and assigned to three groups: Land + IMT, Swimming + IMT, and Water + IMT. To compare the effects of different training protocols and evaluate their specific contributions to performance, participants will undergo assessments before the intervention and after the completion of the four-week training period. These assessments will include anthropometric measurements, pulmonary function tests, respiratory muscle strength, 100- and 200-meter freestyle swimming performance, stroke rate and stroke efficiency, as well as cardiopulmonary capacity.

Previous studies investigating the effects of inspiratory muscle training in swimmers have generally applied the intervention in land-based settings and reported positive physical and physiological adaptations. However, to the best of our knowledge, no previous study has examined the effects of IMT performed in the water in swimmers. This novel approach is expected to better simulate the actual breathing demands encountered during swimming, thereby improving respiratory control, promoting a more efficient breathing rhythm during competition, and enhancing swimming performance.

Enrollment: 30 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 13 to 18 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

Young competitive swimmers aged between 13 and 18 years.

Regular participation in swimming training for at least 2 years.

Participation in routine training consisting of approximately 20 hours/week of pool training and 8 hours/week of land training.

Being medically fit to participate in swimming training and inspiratory muscle training.

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Exclusion criteria

Presence of any acute or chronic respiratory, cardiovascular, neurological, or musculoskeletal disorder that may affect exercise performance or respiratory function.

Current upper or lower respiratory tract infection at the time of assessment or intervention.

Use of medication that may affect respiratory or exercise performance.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Other

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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30 participants in 3 patient groups

Land-Based IMT Group

Experimental group

Description:

Participants in this group will perform inspiratory muscle training using a PowerBreathe device on land, in addition to their regular swimming and land-based training routines.

Treatment:

Device: Land-Based Inspiratory Muscle Training

Swimming-Based IMT Group

Experimental group

Description:

Participants in this group will perform inspiratory muscle training during the warm-up period of pool training while swimming on their back using a PowerBreathe device, in addition to their regular swimming and land-based training routines.

Treatment:

Device: Swimming-Based Inspiratory Muscle Training

Water-Based Static IMT Group

Experimental group

Description:

Participants in this group will perform inspiratory muscle training in the water in a static position, with the body immersed and the head above water, while standing with feet supported against the pool wall, in addition to their regular swimming and land-based training routines

Treatment:

Device: Water-Based Static Inspiratory Muscle Training