Effect of a Respiratory Training Program on Woodwind and Brass Players
Condition: Respiratory Function
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      This project will study the effect of a respiratory training program on woodwind and brass
      players, using an inspiratory muscle training equipment. The goal is to understand whether it
      is possible to develop the inspiratory muscles of wind players through regular and planned
      training. Fourteen young wind players will be selected, in which 7 will be male and 7 will be
      female, playing different instruments. Inspiratory muscle training will be performed with the
      POWERBreath Plus Medium Resistance, and will consist of 30 maximal inspirations, twice a day,
      for 5 weeks.
    

Detailed description: 
      This project will study the effect of a respiratory training program on woodwind and brass
      players, using an inspiratory muscle training equipment. The goal is to understand whether it
      is possible to develop the inspiratory muscles of wind players through regular and planned
      training. Fourteen young wind players will be selected, in which 7 will be male and 7 will be
      female, playing different instruments: transverse flute (1), oboe (2), saxophone (4), horn
      (4), trumpet (1), trombone (1) and tuba (1). Inspiratory muscle training will be performed
      with the POWERBreath Plus Medium Resistance, and will consist of 30 maximal inspirations,
      twice a day, for 5 weeks. The participants will be instructed on the use, handling and
      cleaning of the equipment. The participants will be instructed to use the equipment in a
      comfortable position, with a good posture, and will be instructed on how they should execute
      the inspiratory training: inhale to the maximum limit, with intensity, and exhale slowly and
      relaxed. An explanation will also be given about the calibration of the POWERbreathe, and the
      initial resistance level will be established based on the calculation of 50% of the Maximal
      Inspiratory Pressure of each participant, previously measured. Participants will also be
      instructed on how to increase the resistance level of POWERbreathe. The increase would be 1/4
      of a level, whenever they no longer feel tired after a 30-inhalation workout. A questionnaire
      will be applied before, during and after the inspiratory training and they will be asked to
      record the daily use of the equipment in an online form, created for the purpose of recording
      its use by each participant. Assessment will be executed with the standard Borg Scale and the
      modified Borg scale. Surface electromyography (sEMG) of the right sternocleidomastoid, the
      right scalene muscles, the diaphragm and the right rectus abdominis will also be tested.
      Maximal inspiratory pressure and spirometry testing, specifically volume of forced vital
      capacity (FVC) or forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and FEV1/FVC ratio will also
      be assessed.
    

Intervention name(s): POWERBreath Plus Medium Resistance training device
Intervention type(s): Other
Intervention description(s): 30 inspirations with the POWERBreath Plus Medium Resistance training device, twice per day for 5 weeks
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Crossover Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)
Primary purpose: Other
Keywords: Inspiratory muscle training; lung capacity; musicians