Previous work has shown lowered casual blood pressure after just 6 wk of inspiratory muscle strength training (IMST), suggesting IMST as a potential therapeutic in the prevention/treatment of hypertension. In this study, we assessed the effects of IMST on cardiovascular parameters in older, overweight adults diagnosed with moderate and severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Subjects were randomly assigned to one of two interventions (1) high-intensity IMST (n = 15, 75% maximal inspiratory pressure), or (2) a control intervention (n = 10, 15% maximum inspiratory pressure). Subjects in both groups trained at home completing 30 training breaths/day, 5 days/wk for 6 wk. Pre- and posttraining measures included maximal inspiratory pressure, casual and ambulatory blood pressures, spontaneous cardiac baroreflex sensitivity, and muscle sympathetic nerve activity. Men and women in the high-intensity IMST group exhibited reductions in casual systolic (SBP), diastolic (DBP), and mean arterial blood pressures (MAP) (SBP -8.82 +/- 4.98 mmHg; DBP -4.69 +/- 2.81 mmHg; and MAP -6.06 +/- 1.03 mmHg; p < 0.002) and nighttime SBP (pre -12.00 +/- 8.20 mmHg; p < 0.01). Muscle sympathetic nerve activities also were lower (-6.97 +/- 2.29 bursts/min; p = 0.01 and -9.55 +/- 2.42 bursts/100 heartbeats; p = 0.002) by week 6. Conversely, subjects allocated to the control group showed no change in casual blood pressure or muscle sympathetic nerve activity and a trend toward higher overnight blood pressures. A short course of high-intensity IMST may offer significant respiratory and cardiovascular benefits for older, overweight adults with OSA. For clinical trial registration, see https://www.ClinicalTrials.gov (identifier NCT02709941).

Full text (sometimes free) may be available at these link(s):      help

• DOI
• PubMed
• PDF locator
• publisher