Acute Effects of Inspiratory Muscle Warm-Up on Performance and Cardiorespiratory Parameters of Scuba Divers—A Preliminary Study

<b>Background/Objectives</b>: The inspiratory muscles play a fundamental role in cardiorespiratory performance, especially in water sports. The main objective of this study was to investigate the effects of an inspiratory muscle warm-up (IMW) protocol on the performance and respiratory p...

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Main Authors: Ricardo Alberola-Blanes, Fernando Alacid, Carmen Daniela Quero-Calero, Daniel López-Plaza
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2411-5142/10/2/105
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author Ricardo Alberola-Blanes
Fernando Alacid
Carmen Daniela Quero-Calero
Daniel López-Plaza
author_facet Ricardo Alberola-Blanes
Fernando Alacid
Carmen Daniela Quero-Calero
Daniel López-Plaza
author_sort Ricardo Alberola-Blanes
collection DOAJ
description <b>Background/Objectives</b>: The inspiratory muscles play a fundamental role in cardiorespiratory performance, especially in water sports. The main objective of this study was to investigate the effects of an inspiratory muscle warm-up (IMW) protocol on the performance and respiratory parameters of scuba divers prior to performing two diving tests, one static and the other dynamic. <b>Methods</b>: Eight young, active divers (six men and two women; 26.63 ± 4.67 years of age) volunteered for the study. In two sessions, one using an IMW protocol and the other without IMW, participants performed two underwater tests with a gas tank: a static immersion at the bottom of the pool for 5 min and a dynamic test consisting of swimming underwater for 12 min at 1 m/s. Some cardiorespiratory parameters such as gas expenditure, oxygen saturation (SO<sub>2</sub>), heart rate (HR), spirometry, and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were measured before and after each of the tests. <b>Results</b>: Significant differences were observed in gas expenditure using IMW in both static and dynamic testing (<i>p</i> < 0.05) and in RPE in dynamic testing (<i>p</i> < 0.05). HR values were significantly higher in the pre-dynamic test with IMW and the post-static test with IMW. Finally, with the use of IMW, spirometry values were significantly higher (<i>p</i> < 0.05) in static tests after immersion, whereas in the dynamic test, they were significantly higher before the immersion (<i>p</i> < 0.05). <b>Conclusions</b>: Based on the results of this study, the use of the IMW prior to a dive would be recommended for better overall physical performance, oxygen expenditure, improved pulmonary function, and lower perceived exertion.
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spelling doaj-art-a4158a361ec742978d0ceef7e4935e632025-08-20T03:24:36ZengMDPI AGJournal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology2411-51422025-03-0110210510.3390/jfmk10020105Acute Effects of Inspiratory Muscle Warm-Up on Performance and Cardiorespiratory Parameters of Scuba Divers—A Preliminary StudyRicardo Alberola-Blanes0Fernando Alacid1Carmen Daniela Quero-Calero2Daniel López-Plaza3Department of Education, Health Research Center, University of Almeria, 04120 Almeria, SpainDepartment of Education, Health Research Center, University of Almeria, 04120 Almeria, SpainInternational Chair of Sport Medicine, UCAM Catholic University of Murcia, 30007 Murcia, SpainFaculty of Education, University of Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain<b>Background/Objectives</b>: The inspiratory muscles play a fundamental role in cardiorespiratory performance, especially in water sports. The main objective of this study was to investigate the effects of an inspiratory muscle warm-up (IMW) protocol on the performance and respiratory parameters of scuba divers prior to performing two diving tests, one static and the other dynamic. <b>Methods</b>: Eight young, active divers (six men and two women; 26.63 ± 4.67 years of age) volunteered for the study. In two sessions, one using an IMW protocol and the other without IMW, participants performed two underwater tests with a gas tank: a static immersion at the bottom of the pool for 5 min and a dynamic test consisting of swimming underwater for 12 min at 1 m/s. Some cardiorespiratory parameters such as gas expenditure, oxygen saturation (SO<sub>2</sub>), heart rate (HR), spirometry, and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were measured before and after each of the tests. <b>Results</b>: Significant differences were observed in gas expenditure using IMW in both static and dynamic testing (<i>p</i> < 0.05) and in RPE in dynamic testing (<i>p</i> < 0.05). HR values were significantly higher in the pre-dynamic test with IMW and the post-static test with IMW. Finally, with the use of IMW, spirometry values were significantly higher (<i>p</i> < 0.05) in static tests after immersion, whereas in the dynamic test, they were significantly higher before the immersion (<i>p</i> < 0.05). <b>Conclusions</b>: Based on the results of this study, the use of the IMW prior to a dive would be recommended for better overall physical performance, oxygen expenditure, improved pulmonary function, and lower perceived exertion.https://www.mdpi.com/2411-5142/10/2/105respiratory musclesscuba divingperformancefatiguedyspneagas tank
spellingShingle Ricardo Alberola-Blanes
Fernando Alacid
Carmen Daniela Quero-Calero
Daniel López-Plaza
Acute Effects of Inspiratory Muscle Warm-Up on Performance and Cardiorespiratory Parameters of Scuba Divers—A Preliminary Study
Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology
respiratory muscles
scuba diving
performance
fatigue
dyspnea
gas tank
title Acute Effects of Inspiratory Muscle Warm-Up on Performance and Cardiorespiratory Parameters of Scuba Divers—A Preliminary Study
title_full Acute Effects of Inspiratory Muscle Warm-Up on Performance and Cardiorespiratory Parameters of Scuba Divers—A Preliminary Study
title_fullStr Acute Effects of Inspiratory Muscle Warm-Up on Performance and Cardiorespiratory Parameters of Scuba Divers—A Preliminary Study
title_full_unstemmed Acute Effects of Inspiratory Muscle Warm-Up on Performance and Cardiorespiratory Parameters of Scuba Divers—A Preliminary Study
title_short Acute Effects of Inspiratory Muscle Warm-Up on Performance and Cardiorespiratory Parameters of Scuba Divers—A Preliminary Study
title_sort acute effects of inspiratory muscle warm up on performance and cardiorespiratory parameters of scuba divers a preliminary study
topic respiratory muscles
scuba diving
performance
fatigue
dyspnea
gas tank
url https://www.mdpi.com/2411-5142/10/2/105
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