The influence of inspiratory muscle training on diaphragmatic mobility, pulmonary function and maximum respiratory pressures in morbidly obese individuals: a pilot study

Purpose: To investigate whether 12 week inspiratory muscle training (IMT) has any impact on pulmonary function, maximum respiratory pressures and diaphragmatic mobility (DM) in morbidly obese subjects. Method: Thirty-one morbidly obese individuals were assessed. Volunteers were randomised into two groups. The IMT group (n 16) followed an IMT protocol for 12 weeks, with a training load of 30% of maximal inspiratory pressure (PImax). The control group (CG) (n 15) followed the same protocol but without inspiratory load. Results: A total of 14 subjects performed IMT for 12 weeks. Significant increases in PImax (-86.86 +/- -20.70 cmH(2)O versus -106.43 +/- -32.97 cmH(2)O, p<0.05) and maximal voluntary ventilation (97.84 +/- 37.06 L/min versus 115.17 +/- 34.17 L/min, p<0.05) were observed in the IMT group when compared to baseline. However, only FIV1 significantly differed between the IMT group and the CG after the 12 week protocol (3.35 +/- 0.96 L versus 2.22 +/- 1.07 L, respectively; p<0.05). No significant differences were found in DM after the IMT protocol was performed. Conclusion: IMT improved PImax and altered the FIV1. These results suggest that the improvements in muscular respiratory efficiency were insufficient to mobilise the diaphragm and modify ventilation mechanics. Pre-operative IMT may be a valuable approach in obese patients for preventing post-operative pulmonary complications. http://clinicaltrials.org - NCT01449643 - The Influence of IMT on Diaphragmatic Mobility in Morbidly Obese.