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Study note

Effects of inspiratory muscle training on exertional breathlessness in patients with unilateral diaphragm dysfunction: a randomised trial.

PMID 37868146 (2023): inspiratory muscle training, respiratory — Time to exhaustion (study note for endurance athletes).

Updated Jul 22, 2026

Read the study note

Study note • PMID 37868146

Effects of inspiratory muscle training on exertional breathlessness in patients with unilateral diaphragm dysfunction: a randomised trial.

ERJ open research2023 • DOI 10.1183/23120541.00300-2023

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: randomized trial.
  • Population relevance: mixed/unclear athlete specificity.
  • Consistency: single-study evidence.
  • Practical recommendation depends on tolerance, context, and whether it protects training consistency.

ELI5

In plain language

BACKGROUND: Unilateral diaphragm dysfunction (UDD) is an underdiagnosed cause of dyspnoea. (randomized trial; n=10 participants).

Effects on Time to exhaustion are mixed or unclear from the abstract alone. Treat this as a signal, not a guarantee; confirm methods and context in the full paper.

Takeaways

What the abstract suggests

  • Study question: BACKGROUND: Unilateral diaphragm dysfunction (UDD) is an underdiagnosed cause of dyspnoea.
  • Effects on Time to exhaustion are mixed or unclear from the abstract alone.
  • Population: n=10 participants.
  • Protocol cues (title/abstract): 6 months.

Protocol

Protocol (as reported)

  • Intervention/exposure: inspiratory muscle training, respiratory (vs comparison group).
  • Dose/time/duration cues in abstract/title: 6 months.
  • 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 (n=10 participants) 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: randomized trial.
  • Population: n=10 participants.
  • Comparator: comparison group.
  • Outcomes measured: Time to exhaustion.
  • Protocol cues mentioned: 6 months.
  • Source: PubMed PMID 37868146 (2023) — ERJ open research.

Results excerpt

What the abstract reports

The IMT group (from 45+/-6 to 62+/-23% P(I,max)) and sham group (no progression) completed 92 and 86% of prescribed sessions, respectively.

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).
  • Single studies often don’t generalize to your event, history, and training load; treat results as a starting point.
  • 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