Inspiratory Muscle Warm-up Protocol

NCT06894316 | Completed

• 2 other identifiers: 2023-2Gaziantep University
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 10
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The capacity of athletes to demonstrate their abilities to the fullest extent is contingent upon their physical fitness. Oxygen delivery and utilization become crucial during athletic pursuits, as muscle oxygen demand increases with exercise. The mechanical functioning of the respiratory system is largely dependent on the capacity of the respiratory muscles. For these reasons, inspiratory muscle pre-activation, which positively affects the efficiency of pulmonary circulation, increases the functional capacity of the respiratory muscles, reduces fatigue in the respiratory muscles, and plays a critical role in exercise physiology and athlete performance. It has been demonstrated that inspiratory muscle exercises elicit a range of effects on performance. Studies show reductions in blood lactate levels among short-distance runners, thereby facilitating a positive enhancement in the post-performance recovery process, improve respiratory functions and both aerobic and anaerobic capacity in basketball players, positively affect performance in Olympic swimmers, increase performance in professional rowers and cyclists, enhance aerobic exercise performance in wheelchair basketball players, affect exercise performance in tennis players, increase performance in professional football players and handball players, affect shooting performance in archers, positively affect shot-hit performance in ice hockey players, and increase shot and drag-flick hit performance in hockey players. Nevertheless, there is a paucity of data concerning the impact of inspiratory muscle pre-activation on basketball performance. Many of these studies focus on longer-term training adaptations rather than a single short session of pre-activation. The fundamental techniques of basketball can be classified into four main categories: passing, shooting, dribbling, and rebounding. Of these, shooting and passing are skills that require a high degree of accuracy in order to be performed effectively within the context of the game. A review of the literature reveals that training the inspiratory muscles is an effective method for improving athletic skills that require accuracy, as it enhances the stabilization of core muscles. However, the exact mechanism by which a brief inspiratory muscle pre-activation session might benefit precision-based movements remains under discussion. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine whether a diaphragmatic-based method to prepare inspiratory muscles could improve passing, dribbling, and shooting among basketball players. By evaluating its immediate impact on key basketball tasks, we aim to clarify the value of such exercises in routine training.

Conditions

Inspiratory Muscle Strength

Keywords

respiratory; exercise; accuracy; basketball

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Johnson Basketball Skill Test

  Shooting ability was assessed by recording the number of successful shots made within 30 seconds from a self-selected position near the basket (1 point per shot). Passing ability was evaluated using a one-handed baseball pass from 12 meters toward a target wall with three overlapping rectangles (smallest: 50×25 cm, middle: 1×0.6 m, largest: 1.5×1 m). Passes scored 3, 2, or 1 point based on accuracy. Dribbling ability was measured using four obstacles spaced 180 cm apart, with participants weaving through and returning to the start within 30 seconds. The score was based on the number of obstacles successfully navigated. The Johnson Basketball Skill Test provided passing, shooting, dribbling, and total skill scores.

  Measured immediately after each intervention session.

• AAHPERD Basketball Speed Shooting Test

  Participants began shooting from the designated starting zone, moving between five shooting zones while maintaining at least one foot within the zone. Missed shots allowed a layup attempt after rebounding, but consecutive layups were restricted (max: 4 per test). The test lasted 60 seconds, and points were awarded as follows: 2 points for successful shots or layups, 1 point for missed shots rebounding off the hoop, and no points for rule violations (e.g., traveling, carrying, line violations). The test concluded upon the "stop" signal.

  Measured immediately after each intervention session.

Study Arms (4)

Inspiratory Muscle Pre Activation Group (IMpa)

EXPERIMENTAL

The Powerbreathe brand device was used to perform inspiratory muscle pre-activation. Two sets of 30 breaths were carried out at 40% of each participant's maximal inspiratory mouth pressure (MIP), with a one-minute rest in between. MIP was measured once at the first session, and that value determined 40% and 5% for IMpa and IMPpa, respectively, in later visits. Participants were seated, wearing a nose clip, instructed to exhale forcefully, then inhale forcefully against a closed airway for one to three seconds. Measurements were repeated until values within 5 cmH₂O of each other were obtained, recording the best result in cmH₂O.

Device: Inspiratory muscle warm-up training

Inspiratory Muscle Placebo Pre Activation Group (IMPpa)

PLACEBO COMPARATOR

The Powerbreathe brand inspiratory muscle warm-up device was employed to facilitate an exercise regimen comprising two sets of 30 breaths, performed at an intensity of 5% of the participants' maximal inspiratory mouth pressure (MIP), with a one-minute interval between sets. This minimal load was intended as a placebo-like condition for inspiratory muscle usage.

Device: Placebo inspiratory muscle warm-up training

Control Group

NO INTERVENTION

No warm-up protocol was applied to the control group.

General Warm-up Group

EXPERIMENTAL

The participants engaged in a 10-minute jogging activity, which was followed by a 10-minute stretching exercise. Subsequently, the general warm-up protocol was completed with shooting drills tailored to the specific requirements of basketball, without inducing fatigue.

Other: General Warm-up Protocol

Interventions

Inspiratory muscle warm-up training DEVICE

The Powerbreathe brand device was used to perform inspiratory muscle pre-activation. Two sets of 30 breaths were carried out at 40% of each participant's maximal inspiratory mouth pressure (MIP), with a one-minute rest in between. MIP was measured once at the first session, and that value determined 40% and 5% for IMpa and IMPpa, respectively, in later visits. Participants were seated, wearing a nose clip, instructed to exhale forcefully, then inhale forcefully against a closed airway for one to three seconds. Measurements were repeated until values within 5 cmH₂O of each other were obtained, recording the best result in cmH₂O.

Inspiratory Muscle Pre Activation Group (IMpa)

General Warm-up Protocol OTHER

The participants engaged in a 10-minute jogging activity, which was followed by a 10-minute stretching exercise. Subsequently, the general warm-up protocol was completed with shooting drills tailored to the specific requirements of basketball, without inducing fatigue.

General Warm-up Group

Placebo inspiratory muscle warm-up training DEVICE

The Powerbreathe brand inspiratory muscle warm-up device was employed to facilitate an exercise regimen comprising two sets of 30 breaths, performed at an intensity of 5% of the participants' maximal inspiratory mouth pressure (MIP), with a one-minute interval between sets. This minimal load was intended as a placebo-like condition for inspiratory muscle usage.

Inspiratory Muscle Placebo Pre Activation Group (IMPpa)

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Basketball players had to be free of both chronic and acute upper respiratory tract infections, as well as any chest diseases.
• Participants had to have no history of smoking or other habits that could impair respiratory function.
• Participants had to provide written informed consent prior to the study.

You may not qualify if:

• Participants with any history of cardiovascular, pulmonary, or neuromuscular disorders that could affect respiratory function.
• Individuals who had undergone respiratory muscle training within the past six months.
• Athletes with any current musculoskeletal injury that could interfere with performance tests.
• Those who reported the use of medication affecting respiratory or neuromuscular function.
• Participants who were unable to complete all testing sessions due to personal reasons or external factors.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Burak Karaca: lead
• University of Gaziantep: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Gaziantep University

Gaziantep, 27310, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Motor Activity

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Behavior

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: BASIC SCIENCE
• Intervention Model: CROSSOVER
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: MSc. Burak KARACA

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: March 12, 2025
• First Posted: March 25, 2025
• Study Start: June 1, 2023
• Primary Completion: June 10, 2023
• Study Completion: June 11, 2023
• Last Updated: March 25, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-03

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share
• Shared Documents: STUDY PROTOCOL, SAP
• Time Frame: Unending
• Access Criteria: The datasets generated and/or analysed during the current study are available in the Figshare repository.

Locations

TU (1)