OBJECTIVE: To examine whether a programme of inspiratory muscle training (IMT) improves accumulative distance of self-paced walking in overweight and obese adults. METHODS: A total of 15 overweight and obese adults were randomized into experimental (EXP: n = 8) and placebo (PLA: n = 7) groups. Lung function, inspiratory muscle performance, 6-minute walking test, and predicted VO2max were assessed prior to and following the 4-week IMT intervention. Both groups performed 30 inspiratory breaths, twice daily using a proprietary inspiratory resistance device set to 55% of baseline maximal effort (EXP), or performing the same inspiratory training procedure at the minimum resistive setting (PLA). RESULTS: Lung function was unchanged in both groups after-training; however inspiratory muscle strength was significantly improved in EXP (19 +/- 25.2 cmH2O gain; p < 0.01) but did not significantly change in PLA. Additionally, the posttraining distance covered in the 6-minute walking test was significantly extended for EXP (62.5 +/- 37.7 m gain; p < 0.01), but not for PLA. A positive association was observed between the change (%) of performance gain in the 6-minute walking test and body mass index (r = 0.736; p < 0.05) for EXP. CONCLUSION: The present study suggests that IMT provides a practical, minimally intrusive intervention to significantly augment both inspiratory muscle performance and walking distance covered by overweight and obese adults in a clinically relevant 6-minute walk test. This indicates that IMT may provide a useful priming (preparatory) strategy prior to entry in a physical training programme for overweight and obese adults.

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