Inhalation muscle training (IMT) has been studied extensively for its effects on various aspects of respiratory and physical health. The key findings from recent research include: 1. Enhancement of Respiratory Muscle Strength and Lung Function: IMT has shown significant improvements in respiratory muscle strength and pulmonary function. This is especially evident in patients with chronic conditions like burns with inhalation injury, cystic fibrosis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (Attalla et al., 2022); (Enright et al., 2004). 2. Improvement in Exercise Performance and Endurance: Studies have shown that IMT can positively impact exercise performance and endurance. For instance, young soccer players who underwent IMT exhibited improvements in aerobic endurance and respiratory muscle efficiency (Maćkała et al., 2019). 3. Benefits for Asthmatic Patients: IMT has been found to enhance respiratory muscle strength, exercise capacity, and reduce the perception of dyspnea in asthmatic patients, suggesting its potential as a supplementary treatment for asthma management (Duruturk et al., 2018). 4. Impact on Quality of Life: Improvements in quality of life and reduction in symptoms of anxiety and depression were observed in patients with chronic conditions following IMT (Enright et al., 2004). 5. Specific Effects on Certain Patient Groups: IMT has demonstrated varying degrees of efficacy depending on the patient group. For example, patients with heart failure and inspiratory muscle weakness showed marked improvement in inspiratory muscle strength and functional capacity after IMT (Dall’Ago et al., 2006). In conclusion, inhalation muscle training is a valuable tool for improving respiratory muscle strength, exercise performance, and overall quality of life, particularly in individuals with chronic respiratory conditions.
