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Study note

Putative Role of Respiratory Muscle Training to Improve Endurance Performance in Hypoxia: A Review.

PMID 30697170 (2018): inspiratory muscle training, respiratory — Time to exhaustion (study note for endurance athletes).

Updated Jul 22, 2026

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Study note • PMID 30697170

Putative Role of Respiratory Muscle Training to Improve Endurance Performance in Hypoxia: A Review.

Frontiers in physiology2018 • DOI 10.3389/fphys.2018.01970

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: review.
  • Population relevance: athlete/trained context.
  • Consistency: single-study evidence.
  • Practical recommendation depends on tolerance, context, and whether it protects training consistency.

ELI5

In plain language

Respiratory/inspiratory muscle training (RMT/IMT) has been proposed to improve the endurance performance of athletes in normoxia. (review; elite athletes).

In this review, 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: Respiratory/inspiratory muscle training (RMT/IMT) has been proposed to improve the endurance performance of athletes in normoxia.
  • In this review, the abstract is mixed or unclear for Time to exhaustion.
  • Population: elite athletes.
  • Protocol cues (title/abstract): 8 weeks.

Protocol

Protocol (as reported)

  • Intervention/exposure: inspiratory muscle training, respiratory.
  • Dose/time/duration cues in abstract/title: 8 weeks.
  • 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 (elite 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: review (placebo-controlled).
  • Population: elite athletes.
  • Outcomes measured: Time to exhaustion.
  • Protocol cues mentioned: 8 weeks.
  • Source: PubMed PMID 30697170 (2018) — Frontiers in physiology.

Results excerpt

What the abstract reports

In conclusion, RMT was found to elicit general positive effects mainly on respiratory efficiency and breathing patterns, lower dyspneic perceptions and improved physical performance in conditions of hypoxia.

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