This project will study the effect of a respiratory training program on woodwind and brass players, using an inspiratory muscle training equipment. The goal is to understand whether it is possible to develop the inspiratory muscles of wind players through regular and planned training. Fourteen young wind players will be selected, in which 7 will be male and 7 will be female, playing different instruments. Inspiratory muscle training will be performed with the POWERBreath Plus Medium Resistance, and will consist of 30 maximal inspirations, twice a day, for 5 weeks.

This project will study the effect of a respiratory training program on woodwind and brass players, using an inspiratory muscle training equipment. The goal is to understand whether it is possible to develop the inspiratory muscles of wind players through regular and planned training. Fourteen young wind players will be selected, in which 7 will be male and 7 will be female, playing different instruments: transverse flute (1), oboe (2), saxophone (4), horn (4), trumpet (1), trombone (1) and tuba (1). Inspiratory muscle training will be performed with the POWERBreath Plus Medium Resistance, and will consist of 30 maximal inspirations, twice a day, for 5 weeks. The participants will be instructed on the use, handling and cleaning of the equipment. The participants will be instructed to use the equipment in a comfortable position, with a good posture, and will be instructed on how they should execute the inspiratory training: inhale to the maximum limit, with intensity, and exhale slowly and relaxed. An explanation will also be given about the calibration of the POWERbreathe, and the initial resistance level will be established based on the calculation of 50% of the Maximal Inspiratory Pressure of each participant, previously measured. Participants will also be instructed on how to increase the resistance level of POWERbreathe. The increase would be 1/4 of a level, whenever they no longer feel tired after a 30-inhalation workout. A questionnaire will be applied before, during and after the inspiratory training and they will be asked to record the daily use of the equipment in an online form, created for the purpose of recording its use by each participant. Assessment will be executed with the standard Borg Scale and the modified Borg scale. Surface electromyography (sEMG) of the right sternocleidomastoid, the right scalene muscles, the diaphragm and the right rectus abdominis will also be tested. Maximal inspiratory pressure and spirometry testing, specifically volume of forced vital capacity (FVC) or forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and FEV1/FVC ratio will also be assessed.

Inclusion Criteria:

• 18 years of age or over
• 10 years of musical experience

Exclusion Criteria:

• lung disease

Data will be shared upon fundamented request.