"Inspiratory muscle trainer"

[QueHuong]

I had asthma growing up, but although it's gone, my endurance still sucks compared to a lot of the more athletic people. On Ebay, I found this "inspiratory muscle trainer" thing.

To see a pic:
http://www.ultrabreathe.com/intro.htm

Is it effective? Common sense tells me the physics behind is true but then again, supposedly, the Fast Abs and other ab electrical stimulating products are too (they're not). So only answer if you know for sure and don't just say yes because the website is convincing. Also, any side effects? And is $20 worth it?

 

[MomAndSkoorbaby]

It only works the muscles, not lung capacity.
Endurance comes with training. Start off slow, and it will build up.

In my opinion, not worth it.

 

[Fausto]

I'm guessing this thing isn't gonna do much. The benefit you'll get from stonger "inhalation muscles" vs the benefit of increased capilarization, VO2 max, etc you'll get with actual exercise is minimal.

Just because you can suck in air that much faster and maybe more forcefully doesn't mean your body can utilize it once it's in your lungs. If your bod isn't adapted to process more CO2/O2 with each breath (VO2 max is a measure of this) then the unused O2 is simply exhaled right back out again.

Seems that if you combine this kind of training with regular exercise there are some benefits to be had..I found this on PubMed.

Inspiratory muscle fatigue in trained cyclists: effects of inspiratory muscle training.

Romer LM, McConnell AK, Jones DA.

Sports Medicine and Human Performance Unit, School of Sport and Exercise Sciences, The University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK. romerlm@hotmail.com

PURPOSE: This study evaluated the influence of simulated 20- and 40-km time trials upon postexercise inspiratory muscle function of trained competitive cyclists. In addition, we examined the influence of specific inspiratory muscle training (IMT) upon the responses observed. METHODS: Using a double-blind placebo-controlled design, 16 male cyclists (mean +/- SEM VO2max 64 +/- 2 mL.kg-1.min-1) were assigned randomly to either an experimental (IMT) or sham-training control (placebo) group. Maximum static and dynamic inspiratory muscle function was assessed immediately pre- and <2, 10, and 30 min post-simulated 20- and 40-km time trials before and after 6-wk of IMT or sham-IMT. RESULTS: Maximum inspiratory mouth pressure (P0) measured within 2 min of completing the 20- and 40-km time trial rides was reduced by 18% and 13%, respectively, and remained below preexercise values at 30 min. The 20- and 40-km time trials induced a reduction in inspiratory flow rate at 30% P0 by 14% and 6% in the IMT group versus 13% and 7% for the placebo group, and also remained below preexercise values at 30 min. There was also a significant slowing of inspiratory muscle relaxation rate postexercise; these trends were almost completely reversed by 30 min postexercise. Significant improvements in 20- and 40-km time trial performance were seen (3.8 +/- 1.7% and 4.6 +/- 1.9%, respectively; P < 0.05) and postexercise reductions in muscle function were attenuated with IMT. CONCLUSION: These data support existing evidence that there is significant global inspiratory muscle fatigue after sustained heavy endurance exercise. Furthermore, the present study provides new evidence that performance enhancements observed after IMT are accompanied by a decrease in inspiratory muscle fatigue.

It's only $20, maybe worth a shot?

Fausto

 

[GermyBoy]

This is garbage. If it worked, it would be endorsed by athletes everywhere. If you want to breath more and control your breath, play the trumpet. You can also get large freezer bags and breath just the air you put in there and out of there. Therefore you will consistantly breath less and less oxygen, making you more efficient in the normal environment. A lot of athletes train in oxygen depleted environments (high in the mountains, and some spcial training facilities have this) to make them more efficient in the normal atmosphere.

Hope this helps!

Peace,
GermyBoy