Twelve weeks of respiratory muscle training enhance respiratory function in CrossFit® athletes returning to exercise post-SARS-CoV-2 infection: single-blind randomized clinical trial

Abstract Background The Elevation Training Mask 2.0 (ETM) is a respiratory muscle device, designed to simulate altitude training. It works by reducing airflow through a valve system. During exercise, ETM could restore respiratory damage from post-infection phase of severe acute respiratory syndrome...

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Main Authors: Diego Fernández-Lázaro, Jesús Seco-Calvo, Gema Santamaría, David Jerves Donoso, Enrique Roche, Manuel Garrosa
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-08-01
Series:BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s13102-025-01261-9
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author Diego Fernández-Lázaro
Jesús Seco-Calvo
Gema Santamaría
David Jerves Donoso
Enrique Roche
Manuel Garrosa
author_facet Diego Fernández-Lázaro
Jesús Seco-Calvo
Gema Santamaría
David Jerves Donoso
Enrique Roche
Manuel Garrosa
author_sort Diego Fernández-Lázaro
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background The Elevation Training Mask 2.0 (ETM) is a respiratory muscle device, designed to simulate altitude training. It works by reducing airflow through a valve system. During exercise, ETM could restore respiratory damage from post-infection phase of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), allowing ventilatory restriction that works as resistance training for respiratory muscles. Aim To comparatively evaluate the spirometry parameters in CrossFit® practitioners training using ETM (EG), compared to a control group (CG). Methods In a single-blind randomized clinical trial, following the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) recommendations, 20 trained male athletes were randomly assigned to an EG and a CG using simulated ETM device. Both groups completed 12 weeks of CrossFit® training after 1 month of finishing SARS-CoV-2 symptoms. Pre- (T1) and post-training (T2) testing included assessment of lung function and respiratory muscle strength. Results No significant differences (p > 0.05) were observed comparing EG and CG in any of spirometry parameters evaluated. Nevertheless, significant differences (p < 0.05) in behavior were observed throughout the 36 training sessions for maximum voluntary ventilation (MVV) and maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP) with a strong effect (η²p = 0.693). In addition, significant improvements (p < 0.05) were observed in MIP and MVV exclusively in the EG when comparing T1 vs. T2. Conclusion The findings suggest that the inclusion of ETM in a 12-week CrossFit® training program, in athletes returning to exercise post-SARS-CoV-2 infection, may have modest benefits compared to CG on lung function and respiratory muscle strength. Protocol registration ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier (ID NCT06806124). 25/01/2025 retrospectively registered.
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spelling doaj-art-3432e931208b461c9f618f1fc5d379022025-08-20T03:42:52ZengBMCBMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation2052-18472025-08-0117111310.1186/s13102-025-01261-9Twelve weeks of respiratory muscle training enhance respiratory function in CrossFit® athletes returning to exercise post-SARS-CoV-2 infection: single-blind randomized clinical trialDiego Fernández-Lázaro0Jesús Seco-Calvo1Gema Santamaría2David Jerves Donoso3Enrique Roche4Manuel Garrosa5Department of Cellular Biology, Genetics, Histology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of ValladolidInstitute of Biomedicine (IBIOMED), Department of Nursing and Physiotherapy, University of LeónDepartment of Anatomy and Radiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of ValladolidPneumology Department of Soria, University Assistance Complex (CAUSO), Santa Bárbara Hospital, Castille and Leon Health (SACyL)Department of Applied Biology-Nutrition, Institute of Bioengineering, Miguel Hernández UniversityNeurobiology Research Group, Faculty of Medicine, University of ValladolidAbstract Background The Elevation Training Mask 2.0 (ETM) is a respiratory muscle device, designed to simulate altitude training. It works by reducing airflow through a valve system. During exercise, ETM could restore respiratory damage from post-infection phase of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), allowing ventilatory restriction that works as resistance training for respiratory muscles. Aim To comparatively evaluate the spirometry parameters in CrossFit® practitioners training using ETM (EG), compared to a control group (CG). Methods In a single-blind randomized clinical trial, following the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) recommendations, 20 trained male athletes were randomly assigned to an EG and a CG using simulated ETM device. Both groups completed 12 weeks of CrossFit® training after 1 month of finishing SARS-CoV-2 symptoms. Pre- (T1) and post-training (T2) testing included assessment of lung function and respiratory muscle strength. Results No significant differences (p > 0.05) were observed comparing EG and CG in any of spirometry parameters evaluated. Nevertheless, significant differences (p < 0.05) in behavior were observed throughout the 36 training sessions for maximum voluntary ventilation (MVV) and maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP) with a strong effect (η²p = 0.693). In addition, significant improvements (p < 0.05) were observed in MIP and MVV exclusively in the EG when comparing T1 vs. T2. Conclusion The findings suggest that the inclusion of ETM in a 12-week CrossFit® training program, in athletes returning to exercise post-SARS-CoV-2 infection, may have modest benefits compared to CG on lung function and respiratory muscle strength. Protocol registration ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier (ID NCT06806124). 25/01/2025 retrospectively registered.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13102-025-01261-9CrossFit®Elevation training maskRespiratory muscles; SARS-CoV-2Spirometry parameters
spellingShingle Diego Fernández-Lázaro
Jesús Seco-Calvo
Gema Santamaría
David Jerves Donoso
Enrique Roche
Manuel Garrosa
Twelve weeks of respiratory muscle training enhance respiratory function in CrossFit® athletes returning to exercise post-SARS-CoV-2 infection: single-blind randomized clinical trial
BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation
CrossFit®
Elevation training mask
Respiratory muscles; SARS-CoV-2
Spirometry parameters
title Twelve weeks of respiratory muscle training enhance respiratory function in CrossFit® athletes returning to exercise post-SARS-CoV-2 infection: single-blind randomized clinical trial
title_full Twelve weeks of respiratory muscle training enhance respiratory function in CrossFit® athletes returning to exercise post-SARS-CoV-2 infection: single-blind randomized clinical trial
title_fullStr Twelve weeks of respiratory muscle training enhance respiratory function in CrossFit® athletes returning to exercise post-SARS-CoV-2 infection: single-blind randomized clinical trial
title_full_unstemmed Twelve weeks of respiratory muscle training enhance respiratory function in CrossFit® athletes returning to exercise post-SARS-CoV-2 infection: single-blind randomized clinical trial
title_short Twelve weeks of respiratory muscle training enhance respiratory function in CrossFit® athletes returning to exercise post-SARS-CoV-2 infection: single-blind randomized clinical trial
title_sort twelve weeks of respiratory muscle training enhance respiratory function in crossfit r athletes returning to exercise post sars cov 2 infection single blind randomized clinical trial
topic CrossFit®
Elevation training mask
Respiratory muscles; SARS-CoV-2
Spirometry parameters
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s13102-025-01261-9
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