Maximizing the effectiveness of inspiratory muscle training in sports performance: A current challenge

Regarding the effects of the protocols developed for patients with chronic cardiorespiratory diseases, mainly those with low overload, it seems that the increase in the respiratory muscle strength could be due the neuromuscular adaptation to the task, even if an insufficient overload is provided to the athletes (Levine, Nguyen, Kaiser, & Shrager, 2002). [...]we agree with the Shei and Mickleborough (2019) affirmative: “the full potential of the ergogenic effect (of IMT) may not yet be maximized with current loading protocols”, and, as regards as the respiratory muscle adaptations to IMT, it may be similarly optimized when carried out to “task failure”. [...]an aspect that cannot be neglected is the relationship between ventilatory muscle pattern (VMP) used in IMT, diaphragmatic hypertrophy and MIP. [...]we thank Shei and Mickleborough (2019) for rise and discuss some important questions, as well as for join us to propose future research in this area, searching answers to the issue: how to maximize the effectiveness of inspiratory muscle training in sports performance?