The effects of inspiratory muscle fatigue on subsequent high-intensity exercise performance and muscle tissue oxygenation

Abstract

It has been suggested that inspiratory muscles fatigue impairing blood flow to the active limb muscle via respiratory muscle metaboreflex. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of inspiratory muscle fatigue on exercise performance and muscle tissue oxygenation in high-intensity exercise takes about 3.5~5min. Eleven healthy males subjects performed two conditions of constant-load exercise to exhaustion (TTE) on a cycle ergometer at 100% of maximal oxygen uptake. The two conditions—inspiratory muscle fatiguing (IMF) and non-fatiguing (PLA) —which had different intensity inspiratory resistance breathing (IRB) were performed before exercise. Muscle tissue oxygenations were measured by deoxyhemogrobin (HHb), oxygen saturation index (StO₂) from right vastus lateralis during TTE. All data were analyzed from nine subjects whose inspiratory muscle were fatigued by IRB in IMF. Results: TTE was significantly shorter in IMF compare to PLA (244±31s vs. 268±38s, p<0.05). HHb was significantly higher and StO₂ was significantly lower in IMF than in PLA (p<0.05). Conclusion: High-intensity exercise completed in 3.5~5 minutes, it was suggested that inspiratory muscle fatigue reduced the oxygen deriver to active limb muscle, resulting in decrease exercise performance. Improving function of inspiratory muscles, such as in inspiratory muscle training, may improve oxygenation of the active limb muscle and enhance exercise performance.