The effect of respiratory muscle training on fin-swimmers’ performance

Although respiratory muscle functions can influence swimming performance,respiratory muscle training (rmt) is not routinely used for improving fin-swimmers´ performance. the aim of our study was to verify the benefit of a one month of rmt in young fin-swimmers. we assessed the effect of this training on respiratory muscles and on maximal underwater swimming distance. 28 fin-swimmers were randomly divided into an experimental group (eg) and a control group (cg). the study finished with 20 fin-swimmers (eg: n = 12; average age 12.0; weight 47.4 kg; height 1.58 m; cg: n = 8; age 11.5; weight 49.6 kg; height 1.53 m). both group performed regular swimming training,during which the eg used threshold pep (positive expiratory pressure) and imt (inspiratory muscle trainer) for rmt for one month. after one-month washout period,the cg also performed rmt. rmt showed significant improvement of inspiratory muscles in both groups (z = <1.96; 2.59>; p < 0.05). significant improvement was observed also in apnoea (ap) max (zcg = 2.03; p < 0.05; zeg=2.93; p < 0.01). a long-term effect was observed in the respiratory muscle strength and ap max in the eg (zeg = 2.52; p < 0.05). rmt in fin-swimmers improves both respiratory muscle strength and the performance in ap max. ©journal of sports science and medicine.