Respiratory muscle training.

The application of skeletal muscle training principles to the respiratory muscles is a relatively new field. Strength and endurance training of the respiratory muscles can be achieved in normal humans and in patients with neuromuscular and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases. Careful monitoring is required throughout a training program to ensure that the respiratory muscles are, in fact, being trained. This is a promising area, although further research is necessary to determine the indications for respiratory muscle training. Furthermore, it is still necessary to determine the optimal mode of training.