Sex differences in inspiratory muscle performance and jump height during a critical velocity test in young swimmers
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v79.118340Keywords:
Critical velocity , inspiratory muscles , PIF, S-INDEX, swimmingAbstract
Introduction: Inspiratory musculature plays a decisive role in swimmers' performance, influencing ventilatory efficiency, fatigue, and recovery capacity. However, evidence on sex differences in specific parameters of inspiratory strength and flow, such as the Strength Index (S-INDEX) and Peak Inspiratory Flow (PIF), remains limited.
Objective: To analyze differences between men and women in inspiratory muscle strength (S-INDEX and PIF) and counter-movement jump (CMJ) during a critical speed swim (CSS) test in young swimmers.
Method: Thirty competitive swimmers (17 women, 13 men) performed a CSS test (400 m and 100 m freestyle). S-INDEX and PIF were recorded with PowerBreathe K5 and CMJ variables with MyJump2 before (E1), during (E2), and after the test (E3).
Results: Men had significantly higher S-INDEX and PIF values at all three time points (p < 0.001). A time effect was observed in both variables, with an increase between E1 and E2 and subsequent stabilization, without sex × time interaction. The CMJ height was higher in men (p < 0.001) and decreased significantly at the end of the protocol (p < 0.001), with no sex × time interaction. In the total sample, S-INDEX and PIF showed moderate and significant positive associations with CMJ (r = 0.48–0.49; p = 0.007) and with CSS (r = 0.53–0.56; p = 0.003–0.001), while the associations stratified by sex did not reach statistical significance.
Conclusions: Males have higher absolute values of S-INDEX and PIF, with a similar temporal evolution in both sexes during the CSS test. The stability of the inspiratory indices together with the decrease in CMJ suggests a greater neuromuscular than ventilatory load. S-INDEX and PIF are moderately associated with CMJ and CSS in the total sample and should be interpreted in context by sex.
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