Inspiratory Muscle Warm-Up in Combat Athletes

NCT07481916 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: OMU KAEK 2025/446
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 20
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

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.

Conditions

Sports Performance; Respiratory Muscle Function; Cardiorespiratory Responses

Keywords

Inspiratory muscle warm-up; combat athletes

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (10)

• Kickboxing 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.

  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.

  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.

  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.

  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.

  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.

  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.

  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.

  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).

  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.

  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

Study Arms (3)

Sham Inspiratory Muscle Warm-Up

SHAM COMPARATOR

Participants will perform sham inspiratory muscle warm-up using a POWERbreathe device set at 15% of maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) before the test procedures.

Device: POWERbreathe

Standard Warm-Up Protocol

NO INTERVENTION

Participants will complete only the sport-specific general warm-up protocol before the test procedures.

Inspiratory muscle warm-up

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants will perform inspiratory muscle warm-up using a POWERbreathe device set at 40% of maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) before the test procedures.

Device: POWERbreathe

Interventions

POWERbreathe DEVICE

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.

Inspiratory muscle warm-up

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 15 Years - 22 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Male and female combat athletes aged 15 to 22 years
• Registered with the Turkish Kickboxing and Muay Thai Federation
• Regularly engaged in training
• At least 2 years of licensed sports experience
• Having won medals at the national or international level

You may not qualify if:

• Presence of respiratory disease
• Presence of cardiopulmonary disease

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Ondokuz Mayıs University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Ondokuz Mayıs University

Samsun, Atakum, 55200, Turkey (Türkiye)

RECRUITING

Related Publications (2)

• Cirino C, Gobatto CA, Pinto AS, Torres RS, Hartz CS, Azevedo PHSM, Moreno MA, Manchado-Gobatto FB. Complex network model indicates a positive effect of inspiratory muscles pre-activation on performance parameters in a judo match. Sci Rep. 2021 May 27;11(1):11148. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-90394-1.

  PMID: 34045508 BACKGROUND

• Cirino C, Marostegan AB, Hartz CS, Moreno MA, Gobatto CA, Manchado-Gobatto FB. Effects of Inspiratory Muscle Warm-Up on Physical Exercise: A Systematic Review. Biology (Basel). 2023 Feb 20;12(2):333. doi: 10.3390/biology12020333.

  PMID: 36829608 BACKGROUND

Study Officials

• Özgür Bostancı

  University of ondokuz mayıs

  STUDY DIRECTOR

Central Study Contacts

Nazlıcan Toprak, MSc

CONTACT

+90 5372721255; nazli.tprk55@gmail.com

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: DOUBLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, INVESTIGATOR
• Purpose: OTHER
• Intervention Model: CROSSOVER
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal Investigator

Model Details: Participants will undergo control, placebo, and inspiratory muscle warm-up conditions in a randomized crossover order.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: March 12, 2026
• First Posted: March 19, 2026
• Study Start: January 1, 2026
• Primary Completion: May 15, 2026
• Study Completion: June 1, 2026
• Last Updated: March 23, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-03

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)