Hypoxia is known to negatively affect endurance performance, mainly because the energy for exercise supplied by the aerobic pathways decreases and the work of breathing becomes harder. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of inspiratory muscle training (IMT) during a period of hypoxic altitude training. Twelve male endurance runners from the Iranian national team performed 3000m time trials and were tested for energy cost, peripheral capillary oxygen saturation and inspiratory muscle strength (S-lndex). They then underwent four weeks of training that included living at 2500m altitude and 16 training sessions per week, three of which were at 1400m. The experimental group also performed IMT in the form of thirty deep inspirations twice daily, seven days per week. At the end of four weeks the athletes performed a second time trial and underwent the other parameter tests. The authors found that IMT in an altitude training programme improves 3000m performance and increases S-lndex but differences in peripheral capillary oxygen saturation and energy cost were not significant They recommend further studies using more specific training programmes to understand the impact of IMT on peripheral capillary oxygen saturation and energy cost more precisely.
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