The effects of isocapnic respiratory muscle endurance training on the multidimensional components and neurophysiological mechanisms of exertional breathlessness in healthy adults

Respiratory muscle training (RMT) is a technique used to strengthen the muscles involved in breathing, aiming to improve breathing efficiency and endurance. While there is evidence that RMT can enhance exercise performance, muscle strength, and reduce breathlessness, there is still debate in the field due to the wide variety of devices and methods used. There are two main types of RMT: respiratory muscle strength training, such as inspiratory muscle training (IMT), which focuses on making the muscles stronger, and respiratory muscle endurance training, like voluntary isocapnic hyperpnea (VIH), which aims to improve muscle endurance. IMT has been well studied, particularly in athletes, but the effects of RMT, especially on the sensation of breathlessness, are still not fully understood. Theres potential for RMT to delay muscle fatigue, make breathing feel less difficult, though limited research has looked into how VIH impacts breathlessness. VIH involves low-force, fast breathing in and out, which is thought to better match the breathing demands of endurance sports like running and cycling. This study aims to explore how VIH affects both respiratory physiology and the multidimensional aspects of breathlessness, using a device called the Isocapnic BreathWayBetter (BWB). This research will provide Isocapnic Technologies Inc. insight of how their product affects breathlessness and could help tailor respiratory training to specific individuals.

Faculty Supervisor:

Jordan Guenette

Student:

Partner:

Isocapnic Technologies Inc.

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Retail trade

University:

The University of British Columbia

Program: