The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of inspiratory muscle warm-up (IMW) on technical performance and physiological responses in combat athletes. A total of 20 volunteer athletes (10 males, 10 females), aged 15-22 years, registered with the Turkish Kickboxing and Muay Thai Federation, with at least two years of licensed sports experience and medal achievements at the national or international level, will be included in the study. The study will be conducted using a placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind, crossover experimental design, in which participants will complete the control (general warm-up), placebo (15% MIP), and IMW (40% MIP) conditions in a random order. In each session, before and after the warm-up, pulmonary function tests (FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC, PEF), respiratory muscle strength (MIP, MEP), heart rate, perceived exertion, and dyspnea levels will be assessed. In addition, athletes will perform the Kickboxing Fitness Test (KFT), and the same measurements will be repeated during the rest intervals of the test and immediately after its completion. The IMW protocol will be performed using a POWERbreathe device at 40% of MIP, consisting of 2 sets of 30 breaths. Furthermore, maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂max) tests will be conducted to evaluate the athletes' general physiological capacity. This study is expected to provide original data for the field of sports sciences by demonstrating the potential contributions of inspiratory muscle warm-up to the improvement of technical skills and physiological capacity in combat athletes, and to generate practical scientific recommendations for coaches and athletes.
Age range
15 Years – 22 Years
Sex
ALL
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Kickboxing Fitness Test performance
Timeframe: Across 3 study days, measured immediately after each intervention session.
Forced Vital Capacity (FVC)
Timeframe: Across 3 study days, at baseline, immediately after the 15-minute standard warm-up, immediately before and after the intervention, during each 1-minute rest interval of the Kickboxing Fitness Test (every 2 minutes), and immediately after the test
Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 Second (FEV1)
Timeframe: Across 3 study days, at baseline, immediately after the 15-minute standard warm-up, immediately before and after the intervention, during each 1-minute rest interval of the Kickboxing Fitness Test (every 2 minutes), and immediately after the test
Ratio of Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 Second to Forced Vital Capacity (FEV1/FVC)
Timeframe: Across 3 study days, at baseline, immediately after the 15-minute standard warm-up, immediately before and after the intervention, during each 1-minute rest interval of the Kickboxing Fitness Test (every 2 minutes), and immediately after the test
Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF)
Timeframe: Across 3 study days, at baseline, immediately after the 15-minute standard warm-up, immediately before and after the intervention, during each 1-minute rest interval of the Kickboxing Fitness Test (every 2 minutes), and immediately after the test
Maximal Inspiratory Pressure (MIP)
Timeframe: Across 3 study days, at baseline, immediately after the 15-minute standard warm-up, immediately before and after the intervention, during each 1-minute rest interval of the Kickboxing Fitness Test (every 2 minutes), and immediately after the test
Maximal Expiratory Pressure (MEP)
Timeframe: Across 3 study days, at baseline, immediately after the 15-minute standard warm-up, immediately before and after the intervention, during each 1-minute rest interval of the Kickboxing Fitness Test (every 2 minutes), and immediately after the test
Heart Rate (HR)
Timeframe: Across 3 study days, throughout the entire test session
Rating of perceived exertion (RPE)
Timeframe: Across 3 study days, at baseline, immediately after the 15-minute standard warm-up, immediately before and after the intervention, during each 1-minute rest interval of the Kickboxing Fitness Test (every 2 minutes), and immediately after the test
Perceived Dyspnea
Timeframe: Across 3 study days, at baseline, immediately after the 15-minute standard warm-up, immediately before and after the intervention, during each 1-minute rest interval of the Kickboxing Fitness Test (every 2 minutes), and immediately after the test