Effect of a Respiratory Training Program on Woodwind and Brass Players

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

Detailed Description
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This project studied the effect of a respiratory training program on woodwind and brass players, using an inspiratory muscle training equipment. The goal was to understand whether it is possible to develop the inspiratory muscles of wind players through regular and planned training. Fourteen young wind players were selected, in which 7 were male and 7 were female, playing different instruments: transverse flute (1), oboe (2), saxophone (4), horn (4), trumpet (1), trombone (1) and tuba (1). Inspiratory muscle training was performed with the POWERBreath Plus Medium Resistance, and consisted of 30 maximal inspirations, twice a day, for 5 weeks. After being instructed on the use, handling and washing of the equipment, the participants were told that they should use the equipment in a comfortable position, as long as they had a good posture, and were explained how they should execute the inspiratory training: inhale to the maximum limit, with intensity, and exhale slowly and relaxed. An explanation was also given about the calibration of the POWERbreathe, and the initial resistance level was established based on the calculation of 50% of the Maximal Inspiratory Pressure of each participant, previously measured. Participants were also instructed on how to increase the resistance level of POWERbreathe. The increase would be 1/4 of a level, whenever they no longer felt tired after a 30-inhalation workout. Questions were asked before, during and after the inspiratory training and they were 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 was executed with the standard Borg Scale and the modified Borg scale, sEMG of the right sternocleidomastoid, the right scalene muscles, the diaphragm and the right rectus abdominis. Maximal inspiratory pressure and spirometry testing, specifically FVC or FEV1 and FEV1/FVC ratio was also assessed.

Official Title
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Effect of a Respiratory Training Program on Woodwind and Brass Players

Conditions
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Respiratory Function

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: POWERBreath Plus Medium Resistance training device


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: 18 years of age or over 10 years of musical experience Exclusion Criteria: lung disease

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 65 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Other
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Crossover Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Powerbreathe<br>Subjects will train with the powerbreathe twice per day, for 30 continous breaths | Other: POWERBreath Plus Medium Resistance training device<br>* 30 inspirations with the POWERBreath Plus Medium Resistance training device, twice per day for 5 weeks<br>|
| No Intervention: Control<br>Subjects will carry on with their normal daily life | |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| maximum inspiratory pressure | Maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) is an important and non-invasive index of diaphragm strength and an independent predictor of all-cause mortality. | 5 weeks | 
| subjective physical effort | subjective physical effort, assessed with the Borg scale (scale: 6-20; 6= Very, very light; 20= Very, very hard) | 5 weeks | 
| dyspnea | subjective respiratory effort, assessed with the modifiel Borg scale (scale: 0-10; 0= Nothing at all; 10= Very, very strong) | 5 weeks | 
| sEMG | sEMG od the scalene, sternocleidomastoid, diafragm and abdominal muscle activity | 5 weeks | 
| spirometry: Forced expiratory volume in one second (VEF1) | to assess lung function: the assessment of the forced expiratory volume in the fisrt second of the expiratory effort | 5 weeks | 
| spirometry: volume of forced vital capacity (FVC) | to assess lung function: the assessment of the total forced vital capacity | 5 weeks | 
| spirometry: ratio between VEF1 e o CVF | the ratio of the forced expiratory volume in the first one second to the forced vital capacity of the lungs. The normal value for this ratio is above 0.75-85, though this is age dependent. | 5 weeks | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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musicians, Inspiratory muscle training, lung capacity