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Research guide

Breathing performance research

Breathing interventions can help if they reduce wasted effort and improve tolerance at high work rates.

Updated Jul 22, 2026

Review the evidence

Performance Science Lab

Breathing lab

Breathing interventions can help if they reduce wasted effort and improve tolerance at high work rates.

Start here

  • Most gains come from fitness, but breathing training can be a useful accessory.
  • If it causes dizziness or panic, stop; do not push through.
  • Use simple protocols and measure whether it changes your pacing/RPE.

Study library (reference)

Individual studies for deeper reading.

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Effect of respiratory muscle training on exercise performance in healthy individuals: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PMID 22765281 (2012): respiratory — Time to exhaustion (study note for endurance athletes).

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Effect of respiratory muscle training in asthma: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

PMID 35843501 (2023): inspiratory muscle training, respiratory — Time to exhaustion (study note for endurance athletes).

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Impact of inspiratory muscle training in patients with COPD: what is the evidence?

PMID 21282809 (2011): inspiratory muscle training, respiratory — Time to exhaustion (study note for endurance athletes).

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Effects of controlled inspiratory muscle training in patients with COPD: a meta-analysis.

PMID 12358330 (2002): inspiratory muscle training — Time to exhaustion (study note for endurance athletes).

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Effects of inspiratory muscle training in cystic fibrosis: a systematic review.

PMID 18955432 (2008): inspiratory muscle training — Time to exhaustion (study note for endurance athletes).

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Effects of inspiratory muscle training on time-trial performance in trained cyclists.

PMID 12166881 (2002): inspiratory muscle training, respiratory — Time to exhaustion (study note for endurance athletes).

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Inspiratory Muscle Training: Improvement of Exercise Performance With Acute Hypoxic Exposure.

PMID 30702370 (2019): inspiratory muscle training, ventilation — Time to exhaustion (study note for endurance athletes).

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Moderate- and High-Intensity Inspiratory Muscle Training Equally Improves Inspiratory Muscle Strength and Endurance-A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial.

PMID 33668012 (2021): inspiratory muscle training — Time to exhaustion (study note for endurance athletes).

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Home-based inspiratory muscle training in pediatric patients after kidney transplantation: a randomized clinical trial.

PMID 32253520 (2020): inspiratory muscle training, respiratory — Time to exhaustion (study note for endurance athletes).

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High-intensity inspiratory muscle training in COPD.

PMID 16772388 (2006): inspiratory muscle training, respiratory — Time to exhaustion (study note for endurance athletes).

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Effects of simultaneous aerobic and inspiratory muscle training on diaphragm function, respiratory muscle strength, endurance, and fatigue index: randomized-controlled trial.

PMID 40601012 (2025): inspiratory muscle training, respiratory — Time to exhaustion (study note for endurance athletes).

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Respiratory muscle endurance training improves exercise performance but does not affect resting blood pressure and sleep in healthy active elderly.

PMID 36018510 (2022): respiratory, ventilation — Time to exhaustion (study note for endurance athletes).

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Sources