Introduction
The purpose of this study was to evaluate if the practice of exercising respiratory and extra-respiratory muscle would make a significant change in both VO2max and performance in collegiate cross-country runners. The respiratory muscles were exercised by utilizing a device called a PowerLung. This device has the ability to create both inspiratory and expiratory resistance. Typically respiratory and extra-respiratory muscles are only taxed in runners during speed training or periods of maximum effort. The goal of this experiment was to determine whether positive benefits could be achieved by maintaining this level of respiratory stress with the PowerLung device at predetermined intervals for a five week period. We hypothesized that with efficacious training of the respiratory muscles, they would strengthen, and this increase would be measurable on a spirometry test. We also hypothesized that this increased strength would lead to improved measures on the treadmill test, specifically in regards to VO2max , lactate threshold (LT), and overall treadmill test time. We anticipated that if positive effects were observed they would be accompanied by a decrease in rate of perceived exertion by the athlete.
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The purpose of this study was to evaluate if the practice of exercising respiratory and extra-respiratory muscle would make a significant change in both VO2max and performance in collegiate cross-country runners. The respiratory muscles were exercised by utilizing a device called a PowerLung. This device has the ability to create both inspiratory and expiratory resistance. Typically respiratory and extra-respiratory muscles are only taxed in runners during speed training or periods of maximum effort. The goal of this experiment was to determine whether positive benefits could be achieved by maintaining this level of respiratory stress with the PowerLung device at predetermined intervals for a five week period. We hypothesized that with efficacious training of the respiratory muscles, they would strengthen, and this increase would be measurable on a spirometry test. We also hypothesized that this increased strength would lead to improved measures on the treadmill test, specifically in regards to VO2max , lactate threshold (LT), and overall treadmill test time. We anticipated that if positive effects were observed they would be accompanied by a decrease in rate of perceived exertion by the athlete.
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