Six-week inspiratory resistance training ameliorates endurance performance but does not affect obesity-related metabolic biomarkers in obese adults: A randomized controlled trial.

This investigation examined the effects of a six-week inspiratory resistance training (IRT) on metabolic health biomarkers, pulmonary function, and endurance in obese individuals. Twenty-eight obese adults (BMI > 27 kg/m2 Taiwan obesity criteria) were randomly assigned to either IRT (IRT; N = 16) or sham control (PLA; N = 12). The training parameters (twice/day; 3 days/week; 30 breaths/section; IRT: 55% PImax [maximal inspiratory pressure], PLA: 10% PImax) were identical. The endurance, pulmonary function, and blood lipid profiles were measured before/after intervention. After training, the PImax in IRT was greater than in PLA (+49.6%, p < .001), and the 6-minute walking test (6MWT) performance in IRT was greater than in PLA (+12.9%, p = 0.001). However, there were no differences in pulmonary function (FVC, FEV1, or FEV1/FVC) and lipid profiles between groups. Our results demonstrate that a six-week progressively-programmed IRT was effective to improve endurance capacity and inspiratory muscle strength in obese individuals, whereas the IRT had no effects on pulmonary function, body composition, and blood lipid profiles.

RCT Entities:   Population Interventions Outcomes