[Evaluation of benefits of the course of positive pressure breathing training on exercise performance]

Abstract

The purpose was to evaluate effects of muscle training combined with positive pressure breathing on exercise performance of 16 runners at the age of 18-20. All subjects had the first or second-class sport qualification. The 4-wk. training course for the experimental group (n=11) included 20-25% of exercises performed in an aperture mask creating an inspiration-expiration resistance of 8-10 mm H2O. The control group (n=5) worked on the same training course but w/o positive pressure breathing. The course began and ended with the PWC170 test in order to evaluate exercise performance. Indices of external respiration and gas exchange were determined on metabolograph Ergooxyscreen (Jaeger) and lung-tester Spirosift-3000 (Fukuda). Inspiration and expiration force of the breathing muscles (mm Hg) was measured isometrically with the help of a pneumomanometer. Heart rate was calculated from ECG R-R intervals. It was stated that positive pressure breathing during muscle training increases significantly sportsmen's exercise performance due to growth of the body spare capacities, and optimization of the body systems dependence structure and efficiency.