Respiratory Physiology

Our research has routinely contributed to high-impact physiological literature exploring novel issues relating to ergogenic potential of inspiratory muscle training (IMT). Research objectives include critically evaluating physiological consequences of respiratory muscle work and characterising potential improvements in exercise tolerance following IMT.

Research into physiological and performance effects of pressure-threshold IMT has already attracted funding and invitations to commercial partnerships and consultancies with GB national sports teams. Collaborative work with industrial design consultants has facilitated the development of novel training technologies and evidence-based development of an automated device, targeted at measuring inspiratory muscle endurance.

The team has developed clinically-relevant measurement techniques in conjunction with the internationally-renowned Queen’s Medical Centre NHS Trust, Nottingham. This collaboration has included pioneering use of leading-edge techniques involving magnetic bi-lateral phrenic nerve stimulation in conjunction with oesophageal and gastric pressure catheters to assess adaptation to volitional and evoked stresses of respiratory muscles. This novel approach allows specific measurement of diaphragm function with further elucidation of the physiological potential for this muscle to limit whole-body exercise.