Comparison between Two Inspiratory Muscle Training Protocols, Low Loads versus High Loads, in Institutionalized Elderly Women: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial.BACKGROUND
 Aging results in a decline in the function of the respiratory muscles.  Inspiratory muscle training is presented as a possible solution to attenuate the loss of respiratory function in the elderly.  The objective of the study was to evaluate and compare the efficacy of 2 protocols with inspiratory muscle training (IMT), low loads and high loads, to improve respiratory strength, functional capacity and dyspnea in institutionalized elderly women, over 65 years.


 The study was a controlled, randomized, double-blind trial and with allocation concealment performed on 26 institutionalized elderly women distributed in 2 groups, the high-intensity group (HIG) and low-intensity group (LIG).  Over an 8-week period an IMT protocol was followed 5 days/week, 15 min/day.  MIP, maximum expiratory pressure (MEP), functional capacity and dyspnea were evaluated.


 After training, in the HIG MIP, MEP and functional capacity increased 52, 16 and 7%, respectively (p = 0.000, p = 0.001, p = 0.001) and in the LIG 30, 18 and 9%, respectively (p = 0.002, p = 0.014, p = 0.001).  The improvement in MIP was significantly higher in the HIG than in the LIG (p = 0.042).


 CONCLUSION
 IMT with low and high loads improves respiratory muscle strength and functional capacity in institutionalized elderly women.  In addition, high loads were significantly more effective to improve MIP.
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