Land- and Water-based Inspiratory Muscle Training in Young Swimmers

NCT07493837 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: OMU KAEK 2025/223
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 30
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of four weeks of land- and water-based inspiratory muscle training (IMT) on performance and selected physiological variables in young swimmers. A total of 30 competitive swimmers (22 males and 8 females), who have been training regularly for at least two years, will be voluntarily recruited and assigned to three groups: Land + IMT, Swimming + IMT, and Water + IMT. To compare the effects of different training protocols and evaluate their specific contributions to performance, participants will undergo assessments before the intervention and after the completion of the four-week training period. These assessments will include anthropometric measurements, pulmonary function tests, respiratory muscle strength, 100- and 200-meter freestyle swimming performance, stroke rate and stroke efficiency, as well as cardiopulmonary capacity. Previous studies investigating the effects of inspiratory muscle training in swimmers have generally applied the intervention in land-based settings and reported positive physical and physiological adaptations. However, to the best of our knowledge, no previous study has examined the effects of IMT performed in the water in swimmers. This novel approach is expected to better simulate the actual breathing demands encountered during swimming, thereby improving respiratory control, promoting a more efficient breathing rhythm during competition, and enhancing swimming performance.

Conditions

Sport Performance; Inspiratory Muscle Training

Keywords

Young swimmers; inspiratory muscle training; swimming performance

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (10)

• Maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂max)

  VO₂max will be assessed during a cardiopulmonary exercise test as an indicator of aerobic performance capacity.

  Before and after 4 weeks of intervention

• 100 m Time Trial

  The 100 m time trial is a performance test that measures the time required to complete a 100-meter swim at maximal effort.

  Before and after 4 weeks of intervention

• 200 m Time Trial

  The 200 m time trial is a performance test that measures the time required to complete a 100-meter swim at maximal effort.

  Before and after 4 weeks of intervention

• Stroke Rate

  Stroke rate is the number of stroke cycles performed per unit of time during swimming, usually expressed as cycles or strokes per minute.

  Before and after 4 weeks of intervention

• FEV1/FVC

  The FEV1/FVC ratio is a number that represents the percentage of patient lung capacity patient is able to exhale in one second.

  Before and after 4 weeks of intervention

• FEV1

  This is the amount of air with pulmonary function test that the patient can force out of their lungs in one second.

  Before and after 4 weeks of intervention

• FVC

  This is the greatest total amount of air patient can forcefully breathe out after breathing in as deeply as possible.

  Before and after 4 weeks of intervention

• PEF

  Peak expiratory flow is the highest flow achieved during a forceful expiration initiated after a full inspiration.

  Before and after 4 weeks of intervention

• MIP

  Maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) is the highest pressure generated during a maximal inspiratory effort against an occluded airway.

  Before and after 4 weeks of intervention

• MEP

  Maximal expiratory pressure is the highest pressure generated during a maximal expiratory effort against an occluded airway.

  Before and after 4 weeks of intervention

Study Arms (3)

Land-Based IMT Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in this group will perform inspiratory muscle training using a PowerBreathe device on land, in addition to their regular swimming and land-based training routines.

Device: Land-Based Inspiratory Muscle Training

Swimming-Based IMT Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in this group will perform inspiratory muscle training during the warm-up period of pool training while swimming on their back using a PowerBreathe device, in addition to their regular swimming and land-based training routines.

Device: Swimming-Based Inspiratory Muscle Training

Water-Based Static IMT Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in this group will perform inspiratory muscle training in the water in a static position, with the body immersed and the head above water, while standing with feet supported against the pool wall, in addition to their regular swimming and land-based training routines

Device: Water-Based Static Inspiratory Muscle Training

Interventions

Land-Based Inspiratory Muscle Training DEVICE

Participants allocated to this group will perform inspiratory muscle training on land using a PowerBreathe device in addition to their regular swimming and land-based training routines. The intervention will be performed 5 days per week for 4 weeks, with 2 sets of 30 breaths at an intensity of 40% of maximal inspiratory pressure. The training load will be progressively increased weekly.

Land-Based IMT Group

Swimming-Based Inspiratory Muscle Training DEVICE

Participants allocated to this group will perform inspiratory muscle training during the warm-up period of pool training while swimming on their back using a PowerBreathe device, in addition to their regular swimming and land-based training routines. The intervention will be performed 5 days per week for 4 weeks, with a total of 60 controlled breaths. The training load will be progressively increased weekly.

Swimming-Based IMT Group

Water-Based Static Inspiratory Muscle Training DEVICE

Participants allocated to this group will perform inspiratory muscle training in water in a static position, with the body immersed up to the neck and the head above water, while the feet are supported against the pool wall. The intervention will be performed using a PowerBreathe device in addition to regular swimming and land-based training routines, 5 days per week for 4 weeks, with 2 sets of 30 breaths at an intensity of 40% of maximal inspiratory pressure. The training load will be progressively increased weekly.

Water-Based Static IMT Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 13 Years - 18 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Young competitive swimmers aged between 13 and 18 years.
• Regular participation in swimming training for at least 2 years.
• Participation in routine training consisting of approximately 20 hours/week of pool training and 8 hours/week of land training.
• Being medically fit to participate in swimming training and inspiratory muscle training.

You may not qualify if:

• Presence of any acute or chronic respiratory, cardiovascular, neurological, or musculoskeletal disorder that may affect exercise performance or respiratory function.
• Current upper or lower respiratory tract infection at the time of assessment or intervention.
• Use of medication that may affect respiratory or exercise performance.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Ondokuz Mayıs University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Ondokuz Mayıs University

Samsun, Atakum, 55200, Turkey (Türkiye)

RECRUITING

Related Publications (2)

• Gomez-Albareda E, Viscor G, Garcia I. Inspiratory Muscle Training Improves Maximal Inspiratory Pressure Without Increasing Performance in Elite Swimmers. Int J Sports Physiol Perform. 2023 Feb 8;18(3):320-325. doi: 10.1123/ijspp.2022-0238. Print 2023 Mar 1.

  PMID: 36754056 BACKGROUND

• Carvajal-Tello N, Ortega JG, Caballero-Lozada AF, Devia-Quinonez MJ, Gonzalez-Calzada I, Rojas-Hernandez D, Segura-Ordonez A. Effects of inspiratory muscle training on lung function parameter in swimmers: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Sports Act Living. 2024 Sep 16;6:1429902. doi: 10.3389/fspor.2024.1429902. eCollection 2024.

  PMID: 39351143 BACKGROUND

Study Officials

• Özgür Bostancı, Prof. Dr.

  Ondokuz Mayıs University

  STUDY DIRECTOR

• Bilgehan M Çaloğlu, MSc

  Ondokuz Mayıs University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Bilgehan M Çaloğlu, MSc

CONTACT

+905455236037; bilgehanmeliksah99@gmail.com

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: OTHER
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal Investigator

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: March 13, 2026
• First Posted: March 25, 2026
• Study Start: March 1, 2026
• Primary Completion: May 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): July 1, 2026
• Last Updated: March 25, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-03

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)