Inspiratory Muscle Training in the Elderly: Impacts on Functional Capacity and Autonomy
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.62827/fb.v27i4.1199Keywords:
Aged; Functional Status; Physical Therapy Modalities.Abstract
Introduction: The aging process and the development of cardiovascular diseases, such as heart failure (HF), are strongly associated with generalized muscle mass loss and respiratory muscle weakness. This Decline results in exercise intolerance, dyspnea, early peripheral fatigue, and consequent loss of functional autonomy. Inspiratory Muscle Training (IMT) emerges as an essential non-pharmacological rehabilitation strategy to mitigate these outcomes. Objective: The present study aimed to analyze the impact of different inspiratory muscle training protocols (acute and chronic) on muscle morphology, central hemodynamic responses, inflammatory markers, and functional autonomy in eledery individuals and individuals with heart failure. Methods: An integrative literature review was conducted in the Public Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (PubMed), Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO), and Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) databases. Studies published between 2009 and 2025 on inspiratory muscle training in the elderly were included. Protocols using Threshold® and PowerBreathe® devices were analyzed, with loads between 30% and 60% of MIP (maximum inspiratory pressure) and durations of 4 to 10 weeks, evaluating respiratory muscle strength, functional capacity, autonomy, and cardiorespiratory responses. Results: Studies demonstrated that IMT (Inspiratory Muscle Training) promoted an increase in maximum inspiratory pressure, improved functional autonomy, exercise tolerance, and quality of life in older adults. Increased diaphragmatic and abdominal muscle thickness, improved sit-to-stand test performance, and improved functional parameters of the GDLAM protocol were also observed. Protocols with high loads showed significant central hemodynamic changes. Conclusion: IMT constitutes a safe, effective, and promising therapeutic strategy for preserving respiratory function and functional capacity in the elderly population. Its benefits transcend the local gain in respiratory strength, inducing anatomical and metabolic plasticity, attenuating inflammatory responses, preserving hemodynamic stability, and restoring functional autonomy and quality of life in vulnerable populations.
References
Vilaça AF, Pedrosa BCS, Amaral TCN, Andrade MA, Castro CMMB, França EET. O efeito do treinamento muscular inspiratório em idosos sobre a qualidade de vida, resposta imune, força muscular inspiratória e de membros inferiores: um ensaio clínico randomizado. Rev Bras Geriatr Gerontol [Internet]. 2019 [cited 2026 Jun 11];22(6):e190157. Available from: https://www.scielo.br/j/rbgg/a/jDPDVtdyPKffQXhjcGx3NsG/?lang=pt. doi:10.1590/1981-22562019022.190157.
Fonseca MA, Cader SA, Dantas EHM, Bacelar SC, Silva EB, Leal SMO. Programas de treinamento muscular respiratório: impacto na autonomia funcional de idosos. Rev Assoc Med Bras [Internet]. 2010 Nov-Dec [cited 2026 Jun 11];56(6):642-8. Available from: https://www.scielo.br/j/ramb/a/48YfPrtwD3xPdx8vvwqvnCQ/?format=html&lang=pt. doi:10.1590/S0104-42302010000600010.
Marchese LD, Chermont S, Warol D, Oliveira LB, Pereira SB, Quintão M, et al. Estudo controlado das alterações hemodinâmicas centrais de uma sessão de exercício inspiratório com diferentes cargas na insuficiência cardíaca. Arq Bras Cardiol [Internet]. 2020 Apr [cited 2026 Jun 11];114(4):656-63. Available from: https://www.scielo.br/j/abc/a/p6qQNPSmsBd3xhxRPnYyw9h/?format=html&lang=pt. doi:10.36660/abc.20180375.
Gökçelik E, Yılmaz C, Budak C, Soylu HH, Bayrakdaroğlu S, Ceylan HI, et al. Effect of inspiratory muscle training on diaphragm and abdominal wall muscle thickness with fatty liver density in elderly women: a randomized controlled trial. Medicina (Kaunas) [Internet]. 2025 Oct 2 [cited 2026 Jun 11];61(10):1784. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41155771/. doi:10.3390/medicina61101784.
Rodrigues GD, McConnell AK. The misuse of respiratory resistive loading during aerobic exercises: revisiting mechanisms of “standalone” inspiratory muscle training. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol [Internet]. 2024 Oct [cited 2026 Jun 11];327:L815-L817. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39316675/. doi:10.1152/ajplung.00396.2023.
Carrasco Paniagua C, Mayordomo Cava J, Zarralanga Lasobras T, González Chávez S, Ortiz Alonso J, Serra Rexach JA. Recuperación funcional al alta y a tres meses tras una intervención multicomponente de ejercicio físico en ancianos hospitalizados en una unidad de agudos de geriatría. Rev Esp Geriatr Gerontol [Internet]. 2022 May-Jun [cited 2026 Jun 11];57(3):156-60. Available from: https://www.elsevier.es/es-revista-revista-espanola-geriatria-gerontologia-124-articulo-recuperacion-funcional-al-alta-tres-S0211139X22000105. doi:10.1016/j.regg.2022.01.007.
Camillo CA, Di Lorenzo VAP, Malaguti C, Carvalho CRF, Ramos EMC, Pitta FO, et al. ASSOBRAFIR clinical practice guidelines in respiratory physical therapy: exercise-based interventions in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Braz J Phys Ther [Internet]. 2026 [cited 2026 Jun 11];30:101539. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41106351/. doi:10.1016/j.bjpt.2025.101539.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Lucas da Silva Carneiro , Braian Cabral de Azevedo, Arley Adriano da Silva , Wagner Mendes Faria, Bianca Paraiso de Araujo (Autor)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Autores que publicam nesta revista concordam com os seguintes termos:
Autores mantém os direitos autorais e concedem à revista o direito de primeira publicação, com o trabalho simultaneamente licenciado sob a Licença Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 que permite o compartilhamento do trabalho com reconhecimento da autoria e publicação inicial nesta revista.
Autores têm autorização para distribuição não-exclusiva da versão do trabalho publicada nesta revista (ex.: publicar em repositório institucional ou como capítulo de livro), com reconhecimento de autoria e publicação inicial nesta revista.
