Ventilatory muscle strength, diaphragm thickness and pulmonary function in world-class powerlifters

Purpose Resistance training activates the ventilatory muscles providing a stimulus similar to ventilatory muscle training. We examined the effects of elite powerlifting training upon ventilatory muscle strength, pulmonary function and diaphragm thickness in world-class powerlifters (POWER) and a control group (CON) with no history of endurance or resistance training, matched for age, height and body mass. Methods Body composition was assessed using single-frequency bioelectrical impedance. Maximal static volitional inspiratory (P-I,P-max) and expiratory (P-E,P-max) mouth pressures, diaphragm thickness (T-di) derived from ultrasound measurements and pulmonary function from maximal flow volume loops were measured. Results There were no differences in physical characteristics or pulmonary function between groups. P-I,P-max (22 %, P < 0.05, effect size d = 1.13), P-E,P-max (16 %, P = 0.07, effect size d = 0.86) and T-di (27 %, P < 0.01, effect size d = 1.59) were greater in POWER than CON. Correlations were observed between both T-di and P-I,P-max (r = 0.518, P < 0.05), T-di and P-E,P-max (r = 0.671, P < 0.01) and T-di and body mass (r = 0.502, P < 0.05). Conclusions We conclude that manoeuvres performed by world-class powerlifters improve ventilatory muscle strength and increases diaphragm size. Whole-body resistance training may be an appropriate training mode to attenuate the effects of ventilatory muscle weakness experienced with ageing and some disease states.