Acute Effects of Inspiratory Muscle Load on Diaphragmatic Recovery in Athletes

N/ANot Yet RecruitingNCT07046637

Sierra Varona SL38 enrolled

Overview

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.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Enrollment

Conditions

Sports Physical Therapy Athletic Injuries Healthy

Interventions

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 35 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

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.

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Maximal inspiratory pressure

It will be assessed using a Breathare MIP/MEP® (GH Innotek Co., Ltd., Busan, Republic of Korea).The Breathare MIP/MEP® is likely a respiratory pressure meter or manometer designed for measuring respiratory muscle strength. It typically includes a mouthpiece connected to a pressure sensor, and the device measures the force or pressure generated during respiratory maneuvers. The person will be instructed to take a maximal deep breath in, and then exhale to residual volume. After that, they will be asked to inhale forcefully against the resistance provided by the Breathare MIP/MEP®. This measures the strength of the inspiratory muscles. The measures will be expressed in cmH2O.

Time frame: Immediately before intervention, immediately after intervention, 15 minutes post intervention and 30 minutes post intervention

Secondary Outcomes

Diaphragmatic thickness and thickening fraction

The linear array probe with a frequency of 3.0-10 megahertz (MHz) is placed perpendicularly to chest wall close to the mid-axillary line which is between the 8th and 10th intercostal space. The thickness of diaphragm is measured at the end of expiration and maximum inspiration for three times and the average values were recorded. The measures will be expressed in centimeters.