International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health Article Influence of a Six-Week Swimming Training with Added Respiratory Dead Space on Respiratory Muscle Strength and Pulmonary Function in Recreational Swimmers Stefan Szczepan 1,* , Natalia Danek 2 , Kamil Michalik 2 , Zofia Wróblewska 3 and Krystyna Zato ´n 1 1 Department of Swimming, Faculty of Physical Education, University School of Physical Education in Wroclaw, Ignacego Jana Paderewskiego 35, Swimming Pool, 51-612 Wroclaw, Poland;
[email protected] 2 Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Physical Education, University School of Physical Education in Wroclaw, Ignacego Jana Paderewskiego 35, P-3 Building, 51-612 Wroclaw, Poland;
[email protected] (N.D.);
[email protected] (K.M.) 3 Faculty of Pure and Applied Mathematics, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Zygmunta Janiszewskiego 14a, C-11 Building, 50-372 Wroclaw, Poland; zofi
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[email protected]; Tel.: +48-713-473-404 Received: 5 July 2020; Accepted: 6 August 2020; Published: 8 August 2020 Abstract: The avoidance of respiratory muscle fatigue and its repercussions may play an important role in swimmers’ health and physical performance. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate whether a six-week moderate-intensity swimming intervention with added respiratory dead space (ARDS) resulted in any differences in respiratory muscle variables and pulmonary function in recreational swimmers. A sample of 22 individuals (recreational swimmers) were divided into an experimental (E) and a control (C) group, observed for maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max). The intervention involved 50 min of front crawl swimming performed at 60% VO2max twice weekly for six weeks.