Acute Influence of Respiratory Muscle Activation on Movement Velocity in Elite Weightlifters

Abstract

Inspiratory muscle warm-up (IMW) has been proposed as an acute priming strategy that may enhance high-intensity exercise performance by improving ventilatory muscle function and reducing reflex sympathetic vasoconstriction associated with respiratory muscle fatigue. However, its acute influence on velocity-based strength assessments in weightlifting is unclear. This study investigated the acute effect of IMW on barbell-velocity variables obtained in a velocity-based maximal strength test in elite weightlifters. Seven male elite weightlifters completed three randomized, counterbalanced conditions in a controlled crossover design: IMW, SHAM (same procedure at 0% resistance), and control (no inspiratory warm-up). After a standardized sport- and movement-specific warm-up, athletes performed six maximal-effort front-squat repetitions at 80% of one-repetition maximum. Mean propulsive velocity (MPV), average velocity (AV), and peak velocity (PV) were recorded using a linear position transducer (ENODE Pro). A condition effect was observed for MPV, with IMW producing lower MPV than sham and control. No significant condition effects were detected for PV or AV. In elite weightlifters performing front squats at 80% 1RM, IMW did not acutely increase barbell velocity and was associated with a small-to-moderate reduction in MPV. Further studies should clarify whether this reflects altered bracing strategies, pacing behavior, or a dose-dependent response to inspiratory priming.

Keywords

• Inspiratory muscle warm-up
• Velocity-based training
• Front squat
• Maximal strength
• Weightlifting

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