NCT07406451

Inspiratory Muscle Training Enhances Jumping Power and Shoot-ing Performance in Elite Air Pistol Athletes

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 20 (actual)
• Sponsor: Gümüşhane Universıty · Academic / Other
• Sex: Male
• Age: 18 Years – 35 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

This randomized controlled trial investigated the effects of a four-week inspiratory muscle training (IMT) program on physical and motor performance parameters and shooting accuracy in elite male air pistol athletes. Twenty athletes were randomly assigned to either an IMT group or a control group. Outcome measures included jumping performance, reaction time, flexibility, and shooting accuracy assessed via the SCATT system. The findings demonstrated that IMT significantly improved lower-limb explosive power and shooting performance without affecting reaction time or flexibility.

Detailed description

Air pistol shooting is a precision sport requiring postural stability, neuromuscular coordination, and controlled breathing. Inspiratory muscle training has been shown to enhance respiratory muscle strength, trunk stability, and neuromuscular efficiency. However, evidence regarding its effects in precision sports is limited. This study employed a four-week parallel-group randomized controlled design to examine whether IMT improves jumping performance, reaction time, and shooting accuracy in elite air pistol athletes. The IMT group performed twice-daily resisted breathing sessions using a POWERbreathe® device, while the control group continued standard training. Performance outcomes were assessed before and after the intervention period.

Conditions

• Inspiratory Muscle Training
• Shooting Performance
• Jump Performance
• Precision Sport Performance

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Inspiratory Muscle Training (IMT) Group	Participants performed inspiratory muscle training using a POWERbreathe® Classic device. Training consisted of two daily sessions of 30 resisted breaths, six days per week, for four weeks. Initial resistance was set at 40% of maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) and progressively increased weekly.
OTHER	Control Group (A):	Participants continued their regular air pistol training routines without inspiratory muscle training.

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-09-05
• Primary completion: 2025-10-15
• Completion: 2025-10-20
• First posted: 2026-02-12
• Last updated: 2026-02-12

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Turkey (Türkiye)