POWERbreathe offers the widest range of scientifically proven Inspiratory Muscle Training (IMT) devices, to cater for individual needs and budgets. Our range of POWERbreathe respiratory devices includes those specifically for Inspiratory Muscle Training (IMT) and those specifically for Expiratory Muscle Training (EMT). These make up a suite of devices for respiratory muscle training.

Compared to some breathing trainers, our breathing devices apply a resistance to airflow that is limited to one breathing phase only, in each device: the inspiratory phase in our Inspiratory Muscle Training (IMT)  devices, or the expiratory phase in our Expiratory Muscle Training  (EMT)  devices.

We used the most widely studied and applied method of breathing training, Pressure Threshold Loading, to generate a load on breathing. We created this via a precisely calibrated, spring-loaded pressure threshold valve in our POWERbreathe Classic and POWERbreathe Plus series of IMT devices and our POWERbreathe EX1 EMT range of devices. This method of training ensures that your training intensity is quantifiable and appropriate.

The other main class of resistance training uses Passive Flow Resistance to generate the breathing load. But, at POWERbreathe, we went one better, and developed a series of electronic IMT devices that use a dynamically adjusted flow resistance to generate the load. This is because we wanted to remove the limitations inherent in passive flow resistance devices that use a simple dial for selecting different sized airway holes, which subsequently result in unreliable and unquantifiable loading.

Our POWERbreathe K-Series and KH-Series (designed specifically for the medical market) overcome the inherent limitations of passive flow resistance devices, while also improving upon the training experience that pressure threshold loading provides, by preventing breath clipping. 

Researchers have recognised that the POWERbreathe K-Series provides automatically processed and valid estimates of physical units of energy during loaded breathing tasks. This enables healthcare providers to quantify the load on inspiratory muscles during these tests in daily clinical practice.

Furthermore, a 2023 study concluded that the POWERbreathe K-Series S-Index®Test may be a useful tool to measure functional inspiratory muscle strength in athletes.

POWERbreathe also proudly acknowledges the use of the POWERbreathe K3 in the University of Colorado’s major clinical trial that was published in the Journal of the American Heart Association. It found that Inspiratory Muscle Strength Training (IMST) lowers blood pressure and reduces heart attack risk.

POWERbreathe developed the very first Inspiratory Muscle Training device on the market over 20 years ago. We worked with leading UK Sports Scientists who recognised that breathing not only presents a limitation to athletes but also impacts exercise tolerance in patients with respiratory illnesses and healthy people.

POWERbreathe is the only brand of inspiratory muscle training (IMT) devices, named in the WHO 2021 guidance on the clinical management of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

It’s the POWERbreathe brand of IMT devices that have been selected for the training intervention in over 100, independent and impartial, medical and sports research studies.

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What Is POWERbreathe?