A systematic review of methods of scoring inhaler technique.

Many inhaler devices are currently used in clinical practice to deliver medication, with each inhaler device offering different benefits to overcome technique issues. Inhaler technique remains poor, contributing to reduced airway drug deposition and consequently poor disease control. Scoring inhaler technique has been used within research as an outcome measure of inhaler technique assessment, and this systematic review collates and evaluates these scoring methods.

Inspiratory muscle fatigue at the swimming tumble turns: its occurrence and effects on kinematic parameters of the turns.

The present study had two objectives: 1) to investigate the effects of tumble turns on the development of inspiratory muscle fatigue (IMF) and compare this to whole swimming, and 2) to evaluate the effects of pre-induced IMF on the kinematic parameters of tumble turns. Fourteen young club-level swimmers (13 ± 2 years of ages) completed three swim trials. The first trial was used to determine the 400-m front crawl swim time at maximal effort (400FC).

Measurement of Vital Signs Using Lifelight Remote Photoplethysmography: Results of the VISION-D and VISION-V Observational Studies.

Background: The detection of early changes in vital signs (VSs) enables timely intervention; however, the measurement of VSs requires hands-on technical expertise and is often time-consuming. The contactless measurement of VSs is beneficial to prevent infection, such as during the COVID-19 pandemic. Lifelight is a novel software being developed to measure VSs by remote photoplethysmography based on video captures of the face via the integral camera on mobile phones and tablets.

Physiological impact of load carriage exercise: Current understanding and future research directions.

Load carriage (LC) refers to the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and/or load-bearing apparatus that is mostly worn over the thoracic cavity. A commonplace task across various physically demanding occupational groups, the mass being carried during LC duties can approach the wearer's body mass. When compared to unloaded exercise, LC imposes additional physiological stress that negatively impacts the respiratory system by restricting chest wall movement and altering ventilatory mechanics as well as circulatory responses.

Oxygen uptake kinetics and ventilatory and metabolic parameters do not differ between moderate-intensity front crawl and breaststroke swimming.

Pulmonary oxygen uptake ( ) kinetics have been well studied during land-based exercise. However, less is known about kinetics during swimming exercise and comparisons between strokes is non-existent. We aimed to characterize and compare the kinetics, ventilatory,e and metabolic response to constant velocity moderate-intensity freely breathing front crawl (FC) and breaststroke (BR) swimming in a swimming flume.

A Study to Investigate the Prevalence of Device-Specific Errors in Inhaler Technique in Adults With Airway Disease (The SCORES Study): Protocol for a Single Visit Prevalence Study.

Background: It is a recurring theme in clinical practice that patients using inhaled medications via an inhaler do not use their device to a standard that allows for optimum therapeutic effect, and some studies have shown that up to 90% of people do not use their inhalers properly. Observation and correction of the inhaler technique by health care professionals is advised by both national and international guidelines and should be performed at every opportunity to ensure that the optimum inhaler technique is achieved by the user. This study will provide a greater understanding of the most frequent technique errors made by people using 13 different inhaler types.

Wearing body armour and backpack loads increase the likelihood of expiratory flow limitation and respiratory muscle fatigue during marching.

The effect of load carriage on pulmonary function was investigated during a treadmill march of increasing intensity. 24 male infantry soldiers marched on six occasions wearing either: no load, 15 kg, 30 kg, 40 kg or 50 kg. Each loaded configuration included body armour which was worn as battle-fit or loose-fit (40 kg only).

Impact of Weekly Swimming Training Distance on the Ergogenicity of Inspiratory Muscle Training in Well-Trained Youth Swimmers.

Lomax, M, Kapus, J, Brown, PI, and Faghy, M. Impact of weekly swimming training distance on the ergogenicity of inspiratory muscle training in well-trained youth swimmers. J Strength Cond Res 33(8): 2185-2193, 2019-The aim of this study was to examine the impact of weekly swimming training distance on the ergogenicity of inspiratory muscle training (IMT).

How cold is too cold? Establishing the minimum water temperature limits for marathon swim racing.

Objectives: To provide a rationale for minimum water temperature rules for elite and subelite marathon swim racing and highlight factors that make individuals vulnerable to excessive cooling during open water swimming.

Methods: 12 lean competitive swimmers swam for up to 2 hours, three times in different water temperatures between 14°C and 20°C, wearing standard swimming costumes and hats. Rectal temperature (T), oxygen consumption, perception of cold and performance were measured.

The effect of inspiratory muscle fatigue on acid-base status and performance during race-paced middle-distance swimming.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of pre-induced inspiratory muscle fatigue (IMF) on race-paced swimming and acid-base status. Twenty-one collegiate swimmers performed two discontinuous 400-m race-paced swims on separate days, with (IMF trial) and without (control trial) pre-induced IMF. Swimming characteristics, inspiratory and expiratory mouth pressures, and blood parameters were recorded.

Active recovery strategy and lactate clearance in elite swimmers.

Background: Swimming requires sustained high performance, with limited recovery between heats, recovery strategies are essential to performance but are often self-regulated and sub-optimal. Accordingly, we investigated a physiologically determined recovery protocol.

Methods: Fifteen (m=9, f=6) international junior age group swimmers participated in this study.

Practical Considerations for Assessing Pulmonary Gas Exchange and Ventilation During Flume Swimming Using the MetaSwim Metabolic Cart.

Lomax, M, Mayger, B, Saynor, ZL, Vine, C, and Massey, HC. Practical considerations for assessing pulmonary gas exchange and ventilation during flume swimming using the MetaSwim metabolic cart. J Strength Cond Res 33(7): 1941-1953, 2019-The MetaSwim (MS) metabolic cart can assess pulmonary gas exchange and ventilation in aquatic environments.

Scientific rationale for changing lower water temperature limits for triathlon racing to 12°C with wetsuits and 16°C without wetsuits.

Objectives: To provide a scientific rationale for lower water temperature and wetsuit rules for elite and subelite triathletes.

Methods: 11 lean, competitive triathletes completed a 20 min flume swim, technical transition including bike control and psychomotor testing and a cycle across five different wetsuit and water temperature conditions: with wetsuit: 10°C, 12°C and 14°C; without wetsuit (skins): 14°C and 16°C. Deep body (rectal) temperature (T), psychomotor performance and the ability to complete a technical bike course after the swim were measured, as well as swimming and cycling performance.

Inspiratory Muscle Training Effects on Cycling During Acute Hypoxic Exposure.

Introduction: Hypoxic environments increase the physiological demands of exercise. Inspiratory muscle training can reduce the demands of exhaustive exercise in this environment. This study examined the impact of inspiratory muscle training on moderate intensity hypoxic cycling exercise.

Airway dysfunction in elite swimmers: prevalence, impact, and challenges.

The prevalence of airway dysfunction in elite swimmers is among the highest in elite athletes. The traditional view that swimmers naturally gravitate toward swimming because of preexisting respiratory disorders has been challenged. There is now sufficient evidence that the higher prevalence of bronchial tone disorders in elite swimmers is not the result of a natural selection bias.

The movement of the trunk and breast during front crawl and breaststroke swimming.

Breast displacement has been investigated in various activities to inform bra design, with the goal of minimising movement; however, breast motion during swimming has yet to be considered. The aim was to investigate trunk and breast kinematics whilst wearing varying levels of breast support during two swimming strokes. Six larger-breasted females swam front crawl and breaststroke (in a swimming flume), in three breast support conditions while three video cameras recorded the motion of the trunk and right breast.

Adaptation of endurance training with a reduced breathing frequency.

The purpose of the study was to investigate the influence of training with reduced breathing frequency (RBF) on tidal volume during incremental exercise where breathing frequency was restricted and on ventilatory response during exercise when breathing a 3% CO2 mixture. Twelve male participants were divided into two groups: experimental (Group E) and control (Group C). Both groups participated three cycle ergometry interval training sessions per week for six weeks.

Inspiratory muscle fatigue affects latissimus dorsi but not pectoralis major activity during arms only front crawl sprinting.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether inspiratory muscle fatigue (IMF) affects the muscle activity of the latissimus dorsi and pectoralis major during maximal arms only front crawl swimming. Eight collegiate swimmers were recruited to perform 2 maximal 20-second arms only front crawl sprints in a swimming flume. Both sprints were performed on the same day, and IMF was induced 30 minutes after the first (control) sprint.

Inspiratory muscle fatigue after race-paced swimming is not restricted to the front crawl stroke.

The occurrence of inspiratory muscle fatigue (IMF) has been documented after front crawl (FC) swimming of various distances. Whether IMF occurs after other competitive swimming strokes is not known. The aim of the present study was to assess the impact of all 4 competitive swimming strokes on the occurrence of IMF after race-paced swimming and to determine whether the magnitude of IMF was related to the breathing pattern adopted and hence breathing frequency (f(b)).

The effect of three recovery protocols on blood lactate clearance after race-paced swimming.

The purpose of the present study was to assess the impact of 3 recovery protocols on blood lactate clearance after maximal intensity swimming. Thirty-three regional standard swimmers were tested throughout the course a year and were required to complete a race-paced 200-m swim in their main stroke or individual medley. After the race-paced swim, swimmers were assigned a self-paced continuous steady rate swim of 20 minutes (self-prescribed); a 20-minute coach-administered modified warm-up consisting of various swimming modes, intensities, and rest intervals (coach prescribed); or a 20-minute land-based recovery consisting of light-intensity walking, skipping, and stretching (land based).

Inspiratory muscle fatigue significantly affects breathing frequency, stroke rate, and stroke length during 200-m front-crawl swimming.

The aim of the current study was to assess the impact of inspiratory muscle fatigue (IMF) on total breaths taken (f(tot)), breaths per minute (f(b)), stroke count (SC), stroke rate (SR), and stroke length (SL) during constant velocity front-crawl swimming. Eight collegiate swimmers undertook a 200-m front-crawl swim on 2 separate occasions. On 1 occasion, IMF was induced immediately before the swim (IMF trial), and on the other occasion, the swim was undertaken in the absence of IMF (control trial).

Inspiratory muscle warm-up and inspiratory muscle training: separate and combined effects on intermittent running to exhaustion.

In the present study, we examined the independent and combined effects of an inspiratory muscle warm-up and inspiratory muscle training on intermittent running to exhaustion. Twelve males were recruited to undertake four experimental trials. Two trials (Trials 1 and 2) preceded either a 4-week training period of 1 × 30 breaths twice daily at 50% (experimental group) or 15% (control group) maximal inspiratory mouth pressure (PImax).

Inspiratory muscle training, altitude, and arterial oxygen desaturation: a preliminary investigation.

Introduction: Specific inspiratory muscle training (IMT) has been shown to significantly attenuate the fall in arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2) during exhaustive exercise while breathing a hypoxic gas mixture of 14% oxygen. The aim of the current study was to assess the impact of IMT on resting SpO2 over a range of altitudes in healthy individuals.

Methods: Resting SpO2 and the Borg Score were examined at altitudes of 0 or 400 m (0-400 m; 0-1312.

Measurement frequency influences the rating of perceived exertion during sub-maximal treadmill running.

To examine the influence of the frequency of measurement on the rating of perceived exertion (RPE) during sub-maximal exercise. On two occasions participants performed 35 min sub-maximal treadmill exercise at the same running speed. In both runs RPE was measured after 5 min.