📌 TL;DR: Entrenamiento combinado de resistencia inspiratoria y muscular inferior mejora la función cardiovascular en cadetes militares.
🔬 Puntos clave:
- Mejoría significativa en fuerza respiratoria y funcionalidad cardiovascular.
- El grupo experimental mostró mayores mejoras en VO2max y presión máxima inspiratoria (MIP).
- No hubo cambios estadísticamente significativos en la función pulmonar estática.
🎯 Aplicación clínica para LATAM:
Este estudio sugiere que un entrenamiento combinado de resistencia inspiratoria y muscular inferior puede mejorar la preparación física y capacidad combativa del personal militar, lo cual podría ser aplicable a programas de salud pública en Panamá y otros países sudamericanos.
⚠ Limitaciones:
El estudio se realizó con cadetes militares jóvenes, lo que limita su generalización al resto de la población militar o deportistas.
Objective
This study aimed to investigate the effects of combining inspiratory muscle resistance training (IMT) with lower limb resistance training on cardiopulmonary function and respiratory muscle strength in military academy cadets.
Methods
Sixty non-commissioned officer cadets (aged 18-22 years) from the Army Engineering University were recruited and randomly divided into an experimental group (n = 30) and a control group (n = 30). Both groups underwent a 12-week intervention including baseline aerobic running. The control group performed IMT alone, while the experimental group performed IMT combined with specific lower limb resistance exercises. Respiratory muscle strength (MIP, MEP), cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) metrics, and static pulmonary function were assessed pre- and post-intervention.
Results
Following the 12-week intervention, both groups showed significant improvements in respiratory muscle strength and cardiopulmonary function. Notably, the experimental group exhibited significantly greater enhancements in maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) and maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) compared to the control group (P < 0.05). No significant changes were observed in static pulmonary function indices (SVC, FVC, FEV1, MVV) for either group, likely due to the participants' high baseline fitness.
Conclusion
While IMT is effective for improving respiratory efficiency, its combination with lower limb resistance training yields synergistic effects, leading to superior improvements in VO2max and inspiratory muscle strength. This combined modality offers a scientifically grounded strategy to optimize the physical readiness and combat capability of military personnel.
Cómo citar:
Ma X, Zhu H, Tao J, Jian M, Huang S. (2026).
Combined inspiratory muscle and lower limb resistance training enhances cardiopulmonary function in military personnel.. Frontiers in physiology.
DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2026.1766008 ↗ PMID: 41889792 ↗ Acceso al paper: Ver completo ↗
