The effect of acute and chronic inspiratory muscle loading upon rowing performance

Volianitis, Stefanos (2000). The effect of acute and chronic inspiratory muscle loading upon rowing performance. University of Birmingham. Ph.D.

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Abstract

The study of exercise physiology involves the integration of the physiology of many systems. The determination of athletic performance is an amalgamation of yet more factors drawn from not only physiology, but also psychology and biomechanics. The subject of this thesis incorporates various aspects of respiratory and exercise physiology (control of breathing, dyspnea, perceived exertion, respiratory mechanics, warm-up, hypoxemia, muscle physiology, etc.) that it would not be appropriate to discuss in a comprehensive manner. Thus, the approach that has been adopted in the introduction is to present only a distillation of the most relevant and contemporary research in these areas, in order to provide the scientific background for the research chapters that follow.

Even though it is traditionally thought that ventilation does not limit exercise performance in the healthy adult, in recent years it has been demonstrated that individuals with a high work capacity may be prone to respiratory limitations. Respiratory limitations may arise in terms of gas exchange, respiratory mechanics, energetics of the respiratory muscles, or because of the development of respiratory muscle fatigue.

During rowing the combination of the entrained breathing pattern, the mechanical limitations of the pulmonary system and the additional static supportive work for the upper body, place high demands upon the respiratory muscles. These demands predispose the respiratory muscles to fatigue despite of the high fitness levels observed in rowers. Due to the various implications that respiratory muscle fatigue can have upon rowing performance, the aim of this thesis will be: a) to investigate the incidence of respiratory muscle fatigue during rowing, b) to reduce respiratory muscle fatigue by means of inspiratory muscle training and a specific respiratory warm-up and c) to evaluate the effect of such interventions upon rowing performance.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Doctorates > Ph.D.)

Award Type:

Doctorates > Ph.D.

Supervisor(s):