Athletes will always look for ways to optimise performance in their chosen field of sport. For some reason, breathing performance is one area that is often missing from athletic training. Yet improving breathing muscle function is one essential factor that could make all the difference.

Having the breathing strength and stamina to continue to provide the best performance, can be the difference between Gold and Silver. Recent research using the POWERbreathe Strength-Index® Test highlights the essential role that breathing muscles play in enhancing endurance and overall athletic ability and performance.

What is the POWERbreathe Strength-Index® Test?

Developed for the electronic POWERbreathe K3, K4 and K5 Inspiratory Muscle Training (IMT) devices, the Strength-Index® Test evaluates and assesses breathing muscle strength. It differs from other assessments of respiratory muscle function, which measure static breathing strength, by measuring maximum dynamic inspiratory pressure. This dynamic evaluation makes this test especially useful for athletes who rely on big, forceful breaths for their best performance.

POWERbreathe’s Strength-Index® is a measure of inspiratory muscle strength based on the maximum flow of inhaled air the user can generate. The calculation of Strength-Index® is based upon scientific research which investigates the force-velocity characteristics of the inspiratory muscles.

The POWERbreathe Strength-Index® rating compares the athlete’s inspiratory muscle strength with that of an average individual, based on research. It provides ratings from ‘Very Poor’ to ‘Excellent’. This is based upon predicted normal values of inspiratory muscle strength for an individual of the same age, height, weight and gender. This is calculated using the profile data entered at set-up on the device. With continued, regular training over weeks, athletes should see improvements in their Strength-Index® result.

In this latest research, the Strength-Index® Test is performed on the POWERbreathe K5 IMT device. It provides an accurate way to measure and track respiratory muscle function. Respiratory muscle function evaluation provides athletes with data for improving and optimising their breathing performance. This is particularly beneficial for athletes as they face higher respiratory demands compared to non-athletes.

Key Findings from Recent Research

Five hundred and ninety-seven participants took part in this comprehensive study. Participants included well-trained athletes, e-sports athletes and age-matched controls. Some important findings revealed:

  • Athletes consistently score higher in the Strength-Index® Test than non-athletes, with the most impressive results seen in swimmers and rowers.
  • Males outperform females in the test across all groups, with significant differences in respiratory muscle strength.
  • Age and training experience were associated with higher Strength-Index® results, particularly among well-trained athletes. This suggests the long-term benefits of respiratory muscle training (RMT).
  • Importantly, even without significant differences in general fitness levels, the Strength-Index® Test values indicate that RMT could lead to measurable performance gains across different sports disciplines. These values are also useful to both health and exercise professionals.

How POWERbreathe Helps Athletes Optimise Performance

The electronic POWERbreathe K5 IMT device, featuring the Strength-Index® Test, empowers athletes to take control of their breathing. Training to improve breathing strength and stamina reduces breathing fatigue. Thanks to this technology, athletes can easily focus on their breathing efficiency to achieve stronger overall performance in competitions.

Athletes in sports where breathing is in high demand, such as swimming, rowing and cycling, will benefit from targeted training of their breathing muscles. By incorporating POWERbreathe IMT into their training routines, they are ensuring they will perform at their best and reach their full potential.

Conclusion

For athletes serious about improving their performance, respiratory muscle training using the POWERbreathe K5 with the Strength-Index® Test is an essential step. By using the Strength-Index® Test to assess and enhance respiratory muscle strength, athletes will experience tangible improvements in both endurance and overall athletic capability. In fact, this research demonstrates that investing time in respiratory muscle training is one of the smartest ways to optimise performance and stay ahead in competitive sports.

The research article, Reference values for respiratory muscle strength measured with the S-Index Test in well-trained athletes, e-sports athletes and age-matched controls (Tomasz Kowalski et al, 2024) is published in Experimental Physiology.