The Effect of Inspiratory Muscle Training on Respiratory Parameters, Balance, Trunk Endurance and Trunk Isokinetic Muscle Strength in Wrestling Athletes

NCT ID: NCT07083258

Last Updated: 2025-11-14

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 30 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2025-12-15
• Study Completion Date: 2026-12-30

Brief Summary

Title:

The Effects of Inspiratory Muscle Training on Respiratory Parameters, Balance, Trunk Endurance, and Trunk Isokinetic Muscle Strength in Elite Female Freestyle Wrestlers

Objective:

This experimental study aims to investigate the effects of inspiratory muscle training on respiratory functions, trunk muscle strength, endurance, and balance in elite female freestyle wrestlers.

Methods:

This randomized controlled trial will include 30 elite female freestyle wrestlers aged between 16 and 22. Participants will be randomly assigned to either an intervention group or a placebo control group using a simple randomization method. The intervention group will receive progressive inspiratory muscle training with the POWERbreathe Plus device, 5 days per week for 4 weeks. The training load will increase weekly. The control group will undergo low-resistance inspiratory training set at 15% of their baseline maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP), serving as a placebo. Pre- and post-intervention assessments will be conducted by a blinded evaluator.

Detailed Description

This study aims to investigate the multifaceted effects of inspiratory muscle training (IMT) on performance parameters in elite female freestyle wrestlers within the field of cardiopulmonary physiotherapy and rehabilitation. Unlike most studies in the sports physiotherapy literature, this research goes beyond respiratory parameters to include key functional outcomes such as balance, trunk endurance, and isokinetic trunk muscle strength.

Scientific Background and Rationale Freestyle wrestling is a physically demanding sport that requires simultaneous, dynamic use of both upper and lower extremities, along with high levels of strength, balance, and coordination. Success in competition is closely linked to factors such as postural stability, core muscle activation, and the ability to generate isometric and dynamic force. However, the contribution of respiratory muscles to athletic performance has often been overlooked or assessed only indirectly in previous studies.

Given the high-intensity and short-duration nature of wrestling matches, increased ventilatory demand places a significant burden on the diaphragm and accessory respiratory muscles. Recent evidence suggests that IMT not only improves pulmonary function but also enhances core stabilization and postural control. Therefore, directly assessing the effects of IMT on respiratory and trunk muscle performance in elite female wrestlers addresses a notable gap in the literature.

Study Design This is a randomized controlled experimental study involving 30 elite female freestyle wrestlers affiliated with the Turkish Olympic Preparation Center (TOHM-Trabzon). Participants will be randomly assigned into two groups (n=15 each) via simple randomization.

The intervention group will undergo IMT using the POWERbreathe Plus device, 5 days per week for 4 weeks. Training will begin at 50% of the participants' MIP and increase by 10% each week, reaching 80% by the final week.

The control group will receive placebo IMT at a constant load equivalent to 15% of baseline MIP, following the same training schedule.

All interventions will be delivered in addition to the athletes' regular training programs. Pre- and post-intervention assessments will be conducted by a blinded physiotherapist who is not involved in the implementation of the training.

Assessment Parameters and Instruments To comprehensively evaluate the impact of IMT, objective and validated tools will be employed. Pulmonary function will be assessed using the Cosmed Pony FX device, measuring MIP, MEP, FEV1, FVC, and the FEV1/FVC ratio. Trunk endurance will be evaluated using the McGill Core Endurance protocol, which includes tests for trunk flexion, extension, and lateral plank. Muscle strength will be measured using the Isomed 2000 isokinetic dynamometer at a velocity of 60°/s to determine peak torque during trunk flexion and extension. Balance performance will be assessed with both the Y Balance Test (in anterior, posterolateral, and posteromedial directions) and the Flamingo Balance Test, which measures the ability to maintain single-leg stance. In addition, a participant tracking form will be used to record demographic information, training history, and attendance. All assessments will be performed under standardized conditions by a blinded evaluator.

Statistical Methods Appropriate statistical methods will be employed to analyze the data. Distribution characteristics and group comparisons will be assessed accordingly. Intra-group and inter-group differences, as well as time-by-group interactions, will be analyzed. Effect sizes will be calculated using standard procedures, and statistical significance will be set at p < 0.05.

Original Contribution of the Study This study is unique in its comprehensive evaluation of the effects of IMT not only on performance-related physical parameters but also on cardiopulmonary capacity in elite athletes. By focusing specifically on female wrestlers, the study contributes to sex-specific physiological research and is expected to provide evidence for the development of clinically applicable IMT protocols aimed at enhancing athletic performance and health.

Conditions

Physiological Performance in Healthy Female Athletes

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: SUPPORTIVE_CARE
• Blinding Strategy: DOUBLE

Study Groups

Inspiratory Muscle Training Program

Participants in this group will receive a progressive inspiratory muscle training (IMT) program using the POWERbreathe Plus device. Training will be conducted 5 days per week for 4 weeks. The intensity will start at 50% of the participant's measured maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) and will be increased by 10% each week, reaching 80% in the final week. All training will be performed in addition to the athletes' regular wrestling sessions. Participants in this group will be assessed for respiratory parameters, trunk endurance, balance, and trunk isokinetic muscle strength before and after the intervention.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Progressive Inspiratory Muscle Training (IMT)

Intervention Type: DEVICE

The intervention involves the application of inspiratory muscle training using the POWERbreathe Plus device. Training will be conducted at an initial intensity of 50% of the individual's MIP and will be increased weekly by 10%, reaching 80% by week four. Sessions will take place 5 days per week and consist of 2 sets of 30 repetitions per day, with 2-minute rest intervals between sets. This training aims to improve inspiratory muscle strength and endurance, as well as core stability, respiratory function, dynamic balance, and trunk isokinetic strength.

Control Group

Participants in the control group will receive a sham inspiratory muscle training program using the same device. The training intensity will be fixed at 15% of the initial MIP throughout the 4-week period to produce a placebo effect. The frequency and duration of training will mirror that of the experimental group. Participants will undergo identical pre- and post-intervention evaluations.

Group Type: PLACEBO_COMPARATOR

Placebo Training

Intervention Type: OTHER

The placebo group will perform identical training sessions using the same device but with a constant minimal resistance set at 15% of the initial MIP, insufficient to induce a physiological training effect. This intervention is designed to control for placebo response. Assessment protocols will be identical to those in the experimental group.

Interventions

Progressive Inspiratory Muscle Training (IMT)

The intervention involves the application of inspiratory muscle training using the POWERbreathe Plus device. Training will be conducted at an initial intensity of 50% of the individual's MIP and will be increased weekly by 10%, reaching 80% by week four. Sessions will take place 5 days per week and consist of 2 sets of 30 repetitions per day, with 2-minute rest intervals between sets. This training aims to improve inspiratory muscle strength and endurance, as well as core stability, respiratory function, dynamic balance, and trunk isokinetic strength.

Intervention Type: DEVICE

Placebo Training

The placebo group will perform identical training sessions using the same device but with a constant minimal resistance set at 15% of the initial MIP, insufficient to induce a physiological training effect. This intervention is designed to control for placebo response. Assessment protocols will be identical to those in the experimental group.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

1. To be an athlete in the Freestyle Women's Wrestling branch.

2. Participating in regular training at least 4 days a week.

3. To volunteer to participate in the study.

4. Being an athlete within TOHM for at least one year.

5. To be between the ages of 16-22.

Exclusion Criteria

1. Have a cardiopulmonary disease that precludes the use of Pulmonary Function Testing.

2. Have specific balance problems (e.g., vestibular or neurological impairment).

• Minimum Eligible Age: 16 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 22 Years
• Eligible Sex: FEMALE
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Sponsors

Ondokuz Mayıs University

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

MİNE PEKESEN KURTÇA

Ass.Prof.

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Locations

Ondokuz Mayıs Üniversitesi

Samsun, , Turkey (Türkiye)

Countries

Turkey (Türkiye)

Central Contacts

Mine PEKEŞEN KURTÇA

Role: CONTACT

mine.pekesenkurtca@omu.edu.tr

+90 05079277327

Facility Contacts

Ondokuz Mayıs Üniversitesi

Role: primary

mine.pekesenkurtca@omu.edu.tr

+90 0 (362) 312 19 19

Other Identifiers

OMÜ2025/257

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id