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The effectiveness of physiotherapy in patients with asthma: a systematic review of the literature.

PMID 23333065 (2013): inspiratory muscle training, respiratory — Time to exhaustion (study note for endurance athletes).

Last updated/Feb 23, 2026, 10:34 PM

Study note • PMID 23333065

The effectiveness of physiotherapy in patients with asthma: a systematic review of the literature.

Respiratory medicine2013 • DOI 10.1016/j.rmed.2012.12.017
Evidence B73/100
Action 1: Default

Low risk + high feasibility for most athletes.

ELI5

In plain language

Since the introduction of medical therapy for asthma the interest in non-medical treatments deteriorated. (systematic review / meta-analysis; n=9 participants).

In this systematic review / meta-analysis, the abstract is mixed or unclear 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: Since the introduction of medical therapy for asthma the interest in non-medical treatments deteriorated.
  • In this systematic review / meta-analysis, the abstract is mixed or unclear for Time to exhaustion.
  • Population: n=9 participants.
  • Protocol cues: abstract may omit dose/timing; use the full paper to replicate accurately.

Protocol

Protocol (as reported)

  • Intervention/exposure: inspiratory muscle training, 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 helps, and who should skip it

Who it helps

  • Athletes similar to the study population (n=9 participants) working on breathing.
  • Athletes who can measure Time to exhaustion with a repeatable workout or time-trial effort.

Who should skip

  • 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: n=9 participants.
  • Outcomes measured: Time to exhaustion.
  • Source: PubMed PMID 23333065 (2013) — Respiratory medicine.

Results excerpt

What the abstract reports

BE (n = 9) may improve disease specific quality of life (QoL), reduce symptoms, hyperventilation, anxiety and depression, lower respiratory rate and medication use.

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

Limits

Limitations & 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