Effect and individual response to inspiratory muscle training program among instrumentalist musicians

In this quasi-experimental before-after trial, we investigated the effects of a high-intensity, low-repetition inspiratory muscle training (HI-LRMT) protocol on respiratory muscle strength in instrumental musicians. In addition, was to estimate the prevalence of "non-responders" (NRs) in terms of muscle force after intervention. Healthy musicians (<i>n</i> = 48) were divided into 2 groups: HI-LRMT (<i>n</i> = 33) and a control group that did not train (CG, <i>n</i> = 15). The intervention training was a high-intensity, low-repetition inspiratory muscle training program using the PowerBreathe^® threshold load pressure device, 2 daily sessions of 30 repetitions per session, with a minimum frequency of 5 days per week, for 12 weeks, 5 min per session. The primary outcome measures were maximal inspiratory pressure and expiratory pressure. Change in PImax over 12 weeks for HI-LRMT vs. control was 30.9 (95% CI 25.5-38.3), with the large effect, confirming worthwhile benefits (<i>ηp</i> ² = 0.61). There were significant changes in PEmax 37.3 (95% CI 19.3-48.1), with a large effect size (<i>ηp</i> ² = 0.33). A third of the participants did not demonstrate improvements in terms of muscle force in instrumental musicians. In conclusion, a 12-week high-intensity, low-repetition inspiratory muscle training program using the PowerBreathe^® threshold load pressure device, improved inspiratory and expiratory muscle strength in instrumental musicians.