Influence of an eight-week core strength training program on respiratory muscle fatigue following incremental exercise

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Özdal, Mustafa

Affiliations: Physical Education and Sports Department, Gaziantep University, 27350 Gaziantep, Turkey. Tel.: +90 3423172293; Fax: +90 3423600751; E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Respiratory muscles are important for exercise tolerance. Respiratory muscle fatigue (RMF) has a negative influence on exercise performance. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of a core strength training (CST) program on the RMF following incremental exercise. METHODS: Thirty male volleyball players participated in the study. The subjects were divided into two groups as experimental group (EG, n = 15) and control group (CG, n = 15). An eight-week CST program was implemented in the EG. The CG subjects participated in their respective sport training routine. The maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) was measured twice at the baseline and endline incremental exercise both before (pre-test) and after (post-test) the eight weeks. A reduction in the MIP between the baseline and endline incremental exercise was considered to be indicative of the RMF. RESULTS: There was a significant decrease in the MIP at the baseline and endline between the pre- and post-tests of both groups (p < 0.05). An increment in the MIP was found at the baseline between the pre- and post-tests in the EG (p < 0.05). There was no change in the RMF between the pre- and post-tests in the CG (p > 0.05). A significant decrease in the RMF was observed between the pre- and post- tests in the EG after the eight-week CST program (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These variations indicate that core strength training may positively affect both the strength and fatigue of respiratory muscles.

Keywords: Respiratory muscles, maximal inspiratory pressure, fatigue, core strength, exercise

DOI: 10.3233/IES-160621

Journal: Isokinetics and Exercise Science, vol. 24, no. 3, pp. 225-230, 2016