Effect of inspiratory muscle training (IMT) on aerobic capacity, respiratory muscle strength and rate of perceived exertion in paraplegics

This study investigates how inspiratory muscle training (IMT) affects the physical abilities of individuals with paraplegia, specifically looking at aerobic capacity, respiratory muscle strength, and how hard they feel they are working during exercise. The researchers compared a group receiving IMT to a control group doing regular breathing exercises. IMT involves specific exercises to strengthen the muscles used for breathing in. The results showed that IMT was more effective than regular breathing exercises in improving aerobic capacity, respiratory muscle strength, and reducing the feeling of exertion in paraplegics.

• 1
  Inspiratory muscle training (IMT) leads to significant improvements in aerobic capacity, as measured by the 12-minute wheelchair aerobic test (12MWAT).
• 2
  IMT significantly improves respiratory muscle strength, indicated by improvements in maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) and maximal expiratory pressure (MEP).
• 3
  IMT can reduce the rate of perceived exertion during physical activity, as shown by improvements in the modified Borg’s scale (MBS).