The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of inspiratory muscle warm-up (IMW) on technical performance and physiological responses in combat athletes. A total of 20 volunteer athletes (10 males, 10 females), aged 15-22 years, registered with the Turkish Kickboxing and Muay Thai Federation, with at least two years of licensed sports experience and medal achievements at the national or international level, will be included in the study. The study will be conducted using a placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind, crossover experimental design, in which participants will complete the control (general warm-up), placebo (15% MIP), and IMW (40% MIP) conditions in a random order. In each session, before and after the warm-up, pulmonary function tests (FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC, PEF), respiratory muscle strength (MIP, MEP), heart rate, perceived exertion, and dyspnea levels will be assessed. In addition, athletes will perform the Kickboxing Fitness Test (KFT), and the same measurements will be repeated during the rest intervals of the test and immediately after its completion. The IMW protocol will be performed using a POWERbreathe device at 40% of MIP, consisting of 2 sets of 30 breaths. Furthermore, maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂max) tests will be conducted to evaluate the athletes' general physiological capacity. This study is expected to provide original data for the field of sports sciences by demonstrating the potential contributions of inspiratory muscle warm-up to the improvement of technical skills and physiological capacity in combat athletes, and to generate practical scientific recommendations for coaches and athletes.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
OTHER
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
20
Inspiratory muscle warm-up will be performed using a POWERbreathe device at 40% of maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP), consisting of 2 sets of 30 breaths before the test procedures.
Participants will perform sham inspiratory muscle warm-up using a POWERbreathe device at 15% of maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) before the test procedures.
Ondokuz Mayıs University
Samsun, Atakum, Turkey (Türkiye)
RECRUITINGKickboxing Fitness Test performance
The Kickboxing Fitness Test is a valid and reliable field-based assessment designed to evaluate sport-specific technical skills and anaerobic performance in kickboxers.The test consists of 3 rounds of 2 minutes each, separated by 1 minute of passive recovery. In each round, athletes complete four 30-second technical sections involving punch and kick combinations, with 10 m running between stations, while aiming to perform each technique with maximal speed and accuracy.
Time frame: Across 3 study days, measured immediately after each intervention session.
Forced Vital Capacity (FVC)
This is the maximum total volume of air that can be forcibly exhaled after taking the deepest possible breath in.
Time frame: Across 3 study days, at baseline, immediately after the 15-minute standard warm-up, immediately before and after the intervention, during each 1-minute rest interval of the Kickboxing Fitness Test (every 2 minutes), and immediately after the test
Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 Second (FEV1)
This is the volume of air that can be forcibly exhaled from the lungs in the first second of a pulmonary function test.
Time frame: Across 3 study days, at baseline, immediately after the 15-minute standard warm-up, immediately before and after the intervention, during each 1-minute rest interval of the Kickboxing Fitness Test (every 2 minutes), and immediately after the test
Ratio of Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 Second to Forced Vital Capacity (FEV1/FVC)
This is the ratio of forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) to forced vital capacity (FVC), used to assess airflow limitation during pulmonary function testing.
Time frame: Across 3 study days, at baseline, immediately after the 15-minute standard warm-up, immediately before and after the intervention, during each 1-minute rest interval of the Kickboxing Fitness Test (every 2 minutes), and immediately after the test
Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF)
This is the highest flow rate achieved during a forceful expiration after taking the deepest possible breath in, used to reflect expiratory flow capacity.
Time frame: Across 3 study days, at baseline, immediately after the 15-minute standard warm-up, immediately before and after the intervention, during each 1-minute rest interval of the Kickboxing Fitness Test (every 2 minutes), and immediately after the test
Maximal Inspiratory Pressure (MIP)
This is the maximum pressure generated during a forceful inspiration against a closed airway, used to assess inspiratory muscle strength.
Time frame: Across 3 study days, at baseline, immediately after the 15-minute standard warm-up, immediately before and after the intervention, during each 1-minute rest interval of the Kickboxing Fitness Test (every 2 minutes), and immediately after the test
Maximal Expiratory Pressure (MEP)
This is the maximum pressure generated during a forceful expiration against a closed airway, used to assess expiratory muscle strength.
Time frame: Across 3 study days, at baseline, immediately after the 15-minute standard warm-up, immediately before and after the intervention, during each 1-minute rest interval of the Kickboxing Fitness Test (every 2 minutes), and immediately after the test
Heart Rate (HR)
This is the number of heart beats per minute, used to assess the cardiovascular response to exercise and recovery.
Time frame: Across 3 study days, throughout the entire test session
Rating of perceived exertion (RPE)
Rating of perceived exertion (RPE) will be measured to evaluate the participants' subjective perceptual responses. These measurements are used to assess the overall perception of physical strain in response to exercise. The level of perceived exertion will be assessed using the Category Ratio-10 (CR-10) scale, which was developed and modified by Foster et al. (2001) and includes ratings ranging from 0 to 10. This scale allows participants to rate the overall difficulty they experience during exercise from 0 (nothing at all) to 10 (maximal difficulty).
Time frame: Across 3 study days, at baseline, immediately after the 15-minute standard warm-up, immediately before and after the intervention, during each 1-minute rest interval of the Kickboxing Fitness Test (every 2 minutes), and immediately after the test
Perceived Dyspnea
Perceived dyspnea will be assessed using the Category Ratio-10 (CR-10) scale, which enables participants to report their level of respiratory discomfort or breathing difficulty. Scores range from 0 to 10, with higher scores indicating greater breathing difficulty.
Time frame: Across 3 study days, at baseline, immediately after the 15-minute standard warm-up, immediately before and after the intervention, during each 1-minute rest interval of the Kickboxing Fitness Test (every 2 minutes), and immediately after the test
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