Inspiratory Muscle Training on The Severity of Exercise-Induced Bronchoconstriction and Time-Trial Performance (IMT_EIB)

To the investigators knowledge, no study has been conducted assessing the impact of inspiratory muscle training (IMT) on exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) severity, exertional dyspnea, and cycling time-trial performance. A review noted that studies examining the impact of IMT on asthma have all demonstrated an increase in inspiratory muscle strength (maximal inspiratory pressure, MIP) and endurance (sustained maximal inspiratory pressure). In addition, it has been observed that the reduction in the perception of dyspnea following and during exercise leads to a reduction in short-acting beta-2-agonist (SABA) use and fewer asthma symptoms. The same review also noted the lack of data available to explain the impacts of IMT on exercise performance and tolerance in athletes with EIB. Due to the lack of studies examining the impact of IMT on the severity of EIB and exercise performance, the specific aim of this study is to assess the efficacy of flow-resistive IMT on EIB severity and symptoms, SABA medication use, operating lung volumes, respiratory and limb locomotor muscle deoxygenation during constant-load cycling exercise, femoral blood flow, exertional dyspnea, and cycling time-trial performance. It is hypothesized that eight weeks of IMT will reduce EIB's severity and symptoms, respiratory and limb locomotor muscle deoxygenation, improve operating lung volumes, and exertional dyspnea and improve cycling time-trial performance.

Inclusion criteria

• Male and female, between the ages of 18 to 35 years.
• Required to be a competitive recreational or college athlete and have at least 1-2 years of cycling or biking experience.
• Body Mass Index (BMI) of 18.5 to 28 kg/m^2
• Considered "moderately to highly active" by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ).
• Have clinically treated mild to moderate persistent asthma and/or exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB), with a resting forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) > 65% of predicted.
• A ≥ 10% drop in FEV1 after eucapnic voluntary hyperpnea (EVH).
• Prescribed short-acting β2-agonists (SABAs) by a physician.
• Comfortable not taking SABA before experimental visits.

Exclusion criteria

• History of smoking or recreational smoking, cardiovascular disease, renal disease, neurological disease, and metabolic disease.
• Currently taking asthma maintenance medications (e.g., corticosteroids and leukotriene modifiers)
• Any injuries in the past 6 months.
• Taking selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI)'s (antidepressants and anxiety medication), attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medication, and chronically consume pain medication (Aleve, Tylenol, cannabidiol (CBD), etc.).
• Has had or is positive for COVID-19.
• Resting blood pressure of > 130 mmHg systolic or 90 mmHg diastolic.
• Resting Pulse rate of > 100 bpm.
• Regularly consuming fish oil supplements or eating more then one fish meal per week