Respiratory muscle training is gaining interest among athletes looking for performance advantages beyond traditional strength and conditioning. Research suggests the approach may improve respiratory muscle strength and, in some contexts, sport performance.
Respiratory muscle training uses resistance-based breathing exercises to strengthen muscles involved in inhalation and exhalation, including the diaphragm and intercostal muscles. A systematic review published in Sports Medicine examined whether respiratory muscle training improves sport performance and respiratory muscle function in athletes.
The basic theory is that breathing muscles can fatigue during intense exercise. When they do, the body may redirect blood flow toward respiratory muscles and away from working limbs, contributing to perceived effort and performance limitations. Training those muscles may reduce breathlessness and improve tolerance during demanding activity.
A 2013 systematic review on respiratory muscle training and sport performance examined whether RMT improves respiratory muscle strength, endurance and athletic outcomes. More recent reviews continue to explore respiratory muscle training in athletes, including its effects on muscle strength, lung function and performance.
A 2025 review on the effectiveness of respiratory muscular training in athletes summarized current research on respiratory muscle training across sport populations. The ongoing research reflects growing interest in using targeted breathing resistance as part of performance programs.
The strongest case may be in endurance and intermittent sports where breathing demand is high: running, cycling, rowing, swimming, soccer and other field sports. But results vary by sport, training protocol, baseline fitness and device used.
Importantly, respiratory muscle training is not the same as general “breathwork.” It is closer to strength training for the breathing system. It usually involves a handheld resistance device and progressive loading, similar in concept to adding weight over time in a gym program.
For athletes, the appeal is clear. The intervention is relatively low time-cost and can be added outside normal workouts. But claims should remain measured. It is not a substitute for aerobic conditioning, strength training, sleep, nutrition or sport-specific practice.
The most practical use may be for athletes who experience breathlessness as a limiting factor despite good general fitness. It may also be useful in return-to-training settings or for people whose respiratory muscles are underconditioned relative to their sport demands.
As with any performance intervention, individual response matters. Athletes with asthma, unexplained shortness of breath, chest pain or exercise intolerance should seek medical evaluation rather than assuming the problem is weak breathing muscles.
Respiratory muscle training is promising because it treats breathing as trainable. But the best evidence supports it as an adjunct, not a miracle shortcut.
Sources: Respiratory muscle training systematic review; 2025 review on respiratory muscular training in athletes; Inspiratory muscle training and athletic performance review
