The effects of a respiratory warm-up on the 20m-shutle run test performance

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to examine whether warming-up the inspiratory muscles could have an effect in the classic 20m shuttle run (Leger et al, 1984) performance. Nineteen Greek sport science students (20.6 ± 0.8 years old, 78.2 ± 6.5 kg body weight and 1.77 ± 5.6 meter height) volunteered. In three different occations, they were radomly subjected to the following assessments: 1) Maximum inspiratory mouth pressure using a hand-held mouth pressure meter, followed a maximal oxygen intake (VChmax) test, 2) a 15-minute treadmill warm-up at 50% of the individuals VChmax followed by a maximal 20-meter shuttle run test, and 3) a 15-minute treadmill warm-up at 50% of the individuals VChmax, followed by a 2X30 inspiratory efforts against a resistance equivalent to 50% peak inspiratory mouth pressure (pMIP), using an inspiratory muscle trainer (POWERbreathe), followed by a maximal 20-meter shuttle run test. In the latter occasion, performance in the shuttle run test increased by 3.7(± 5.2) % (P<0.003) indicating a positive effect of the preparatory 2X30 inspiratory warm-up prior to the running test. This finding is in line with recent data by Volianitis et al. (1999) who suggested that specific respiratory warm-up is more effective than whole body protocols.