Concurrent inspiratory muscle and cardiovascular training differentially improves both perceptions of effort and 5000 m running performance compared with cardiovascular training alone

The addition of IMT to a cardiovascular training programme augments 5000 m running performance but exerts no additional influence over VO(2max) compared with a cardiovascular-training group. This is probably due to IMT-induced reduction in perceived effort at high ventilatory rates, which is of greater consequence to longer duration time-trial performances than incremental tests of VO(2max).