Effects of short inspiratory muscle training on inspiratory muscle strength and functional capacity in physically active elderly: A quasi-experimental study

Abstract The aim of the current study was to evaluate the effects of a short inspiratory muscle training (IMT) program results in functional capacity, inspiratory muscle strength and quality of life in physically active elderly people. Twenty-six physically active elderly subjects were assigned to either a 6-week IMT program (13 subjects) or a placebo-IMT (P-IMT; 13 subjects). The following parameters were measured before and after intervention: 6-minute walk test (6MWT) distance, inspiratory muscle strength (PImax) and quality of life scores. Between-groups analysis of functional capacity was not statistically significant, but showed a tendency to improvement in the IMT group from 469.4 m (IQR: 418–532 m) at baseline to 516.4 m (IQR: 462.5–560.1 m) during follow-up. The IMT program induced significant improvement in inspiratory strength between the groups from 55 cm H2O (IQR: 45–71.25 cm H2O) at baseline to 90 cm H2O (IQR: 76.25–107.5 cm H2O) during follow-up, whereas the P-IMT group had a slight decrease from 75 cm H2O (IQR: 67.5–95 cm H2O) at baseline to 67.5 cm H2O (IQR: 65–75 cm H2O; p = 0.010). The quality of life questionnaire did not improve after the IMT program. The present study demonstrates that a short-term 6-week IMT program results in improvement in inspiratory muscle strength and a tendency to improvement in functional capacity in physically active elderly people.