Effects of Functional Inspiratory Muscle Training in Individuals with Obesity: A Randomized Controlled Trial
In brief
In obesity, inspiratory training improved walking distance by 64 meters vs no exercise
In this 51-person trial, 10 weeks of exercise incorporating inspiratory muscle training improved six-minute walk distance by about 64 meters compared with no exercise, similar to standard aerobic and resistance exercise. It also improved some breathing measures more than standard exercise, but the small trial does not show whether these added benefits last or improve health outcomes.
- Journal
- Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation (Q1)
- Published
- 4 November 2026
- Study design
- Randomized controlled trial
- Evidence level
- Level 1, High (CEBM 1b)
- Authors
- Safak Yigit, Alihan Oral, Buket Akinci
- PMID
- 42982319
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.apmr.2026.09.017
Why clinicians should know about it
- Picked for Rehabilitation (paper of the day, 6 November 2026): Functional inspiratory muscle training improves functional capacity
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate effects of functional inspiratory muscle training (FIMT) on functional capacity as primary outcome and on cardiometabolic markers, body composition, peripheral muscle strength, ventilatory responses, pulmonary function, respiratory muscle performance, and physical activity as secondary outcomes in individuals with obesity, compared to aerobic and resistance exercise (ARE) and control group. DESIGN: Single-blind, prospective, randomized controlled. SETTING: University-based rehabilitation unit. PARTICIPANTS: 51 individuals with obesity (mean age 44.93±9.73 years; mean body mass index 34.45±3.02 kg/m²) were randomly assigned to three groups: ARE Group (AREG), FIMT Group (FIMTG), and Control Group (CG). INTERVENTIONS: AREG performed aerobic and resistance exercises. FIMTG performed resistance exercise and FIMT, in which IMT was integrated into aerobic exercise. Both exercise programs were performed three times per week for 10 weeks. CG received no exercise intervention. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome was functional capacity.Secondary outcomes included cardiometabolic markers, body composition, peripheral muscle strength, pulmonary function, respiratory muscle performance, ventilatory responses, and physical activity. RESULTS: The mean between-group difference in the 6MWD was 57.33 m (95% CI:27.98 to 86.64; p<0.001) in favour of AREG compared with CG, and 64.20 m (95% CI:34.84 to 93.55; p<0.001) in favour of FIMTG compared with CG. However, there was no significant difference between FIMTG and AREG (6.87 m; 95% CI:-22.48 to 36.21). For most secondary outcomes, both exercise groups showed similar improvements compared to CG in cardiometabolic markers, body composition, peripheral and expiratory muscle strength, physical activity. FIMTG showed favor in ventilation (VE), peak ventilation (VEpeak), peak breathing reserve (BRpeak), peak expiratory flow (PEF) and FEF25-75%, inspiratory muscle performance compared to AREG and CG (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Both exercise programs similarly improved functional capacity and most secondary outcomes in obesity. FIMT provided additional benefits in ventilatory responses and inspiratory muscle performance. FIMT may be considered a feasible approach for integration into exercise programs for obesity.
Abstract as published, via PubMed.
For healthcare professionals. The summary is generated by AI from the published abstract, and the evidence level is assigned automatically from the study design on the Oxford CEBM hierarchy. Neither is medical advice. Read the full paper before changing practice.