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Study note

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).

Updated Jul 22, 2026

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Study note • PMID 22765281

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

Sports medicine (Auckland, N.Z.)2012 • DOI 10.1007/BF03262290

How to use this page

This note summarizes one study record. Check the participants, methods, results, and limitations before applying it to training.

  • Design signal: systematic review / meta-analysis.
  • Population relevance: athlete/trained context.
  • Consistency: synthesis evidence present.
  • Practical recommendation depends on tolerance, context, and whether it protects training consistency.

ELI5

In plain language

Two distinct types of specific respiratory muscle training (RMT), i.e. (systematic review / meta-analysis; trained athletes).

In this systematic review / meta-analysis, the abstract doesn’t find a clear benefit for Time to exhaustion. Treat this as a signal, not a guarantee; confirm methods and context in the full paper.

Takeaways

What the abstract suggests

  • Study question: Two distinct types of specific respiratory muscle training (RMT), i.e.
  • In this systematic review / meta-analysis, the abstract doesn’t find a clear benefit for Time to exhaustion.
  • Population: trained athletes.
  • Protocol cues: abstract may omit dose/timing; use the full paper to replicate accurately.

Protocol

Protocol (as reported)

  • Intervention/exposure: respiratory.
  • Dose/time/duration: abstract doesn’t include enough detail; use the full paper’s methods section.
  • Outcomes: Time to exhaustion.
  • Replication note: abstracts often omit adherence and timing; confirm details before changing training or supplementation.

Fit

Who it may help, and who should be cautious

Who it helps

  • Athletes similar to the study population (trained athletes) working on breathing.
  • Athletes who can measure Time to exhaustion with a repeatable workout or time-trial effort.

Who should be cautious

  • If you have symptoms or conditions that make the intervention risky, get professional guidance.
  • If you’re near race day and can’t safely test, defer the experiment.

Methods

What the study actually did

  • Design: systematic review / meta-analysis.
  • Population: trained athletes.
  • Outcomes measured: Time to exhaustion.
  • Source: PubMed PMID 22765281 (2012) — Sports medicine (Auckland, N.Z.).

Results excerpt

What the abstract reports

RMT improves endurance exercise performance in healthy individuals with greater improvements in less fit individuals and in sports of longer durations.

Note: excerpts are short; for full context, read the paper.

Limits

Limitations and bias

  • Abstract-only summaries can miss critical details (population, protocol, adherence, and context).
  • Reviews and consensus statements mix protocols and populations; recommendations may not match your exact constraints.
  • If your context differs (elite vs recreational; cycling vs running), adjust expectations and be conservative.
  • This is performance information, not medical advice.

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Sources