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Specific inspiratory muscle warm-up enhances badminton footwork performance

Hua Lin, Tom Kwokkeung Tong, Chuanye Huang, Jinlei Nie, Kui Lu, and Binh Quach

Abstract: The effects of inspiratory muscle (IM) warm-up on IM function and on the maximum distance covered in a subsequent incremental badminton-footwork test (FWmax) were examined. Ten male badminton players were recruited to perform identical tests in three different trials in a random order. The control trial did not involve an IM warm-up, whereas the placebo and experimental trials did involve an IM warm-up consisting of two sets of 30-breath manoeuvres with an inspiratory pressure-threshold load equivalent to 15% (PLA) and 40% (IMW) maximum inspiratory mouth pressure, respectively. In the IMW trial, IM function was improved with 7.8% 4.0% and 6.9% 3.5% increases from control found in maximal inspiratory pressure at zero flow (P0) and maximal rate of P0 development (MRPD), respectively (p < 0.05). FWmax was enhanced 6.8% 3.7%, whereas the slope of the linear relationship of the increase in the rating of perceived breathlessness for every minute (RPB/min) was reduced (p < 0.05). Reduction in blood lactate ([La]b) accumulation was observed when the test duration was identical to that of the control trial (P < 0.05). In the PLA trial, no parameter was changed from control. For the changes () in parameters in IMW (n = 10), negative correlations were found between P0 and RPB/min (r2 = 0.58), MRPD and RPB/min (r2 = 0.48), RPB/min, and FWmax (r2 = 0.55), but not between [La]b accumulation and FWmax. Such findings suggest that the IM-specific warm-up improved footwork performance in the subsequent maximum incremental badminton-footwork test. The improved footwork was partly attributable to the reduced breathless sensation resulting from the enhanced IM function, whereas the contribution of the concomitant reduction in [La]b accumulation was relatively minor. Key words: warm-up, badminton, inspiratory muscle function, breathlessness, blood lactate, exercise performance. tude est danalyser leffet de le chauffement des muscles inspiratoires (IM) sur la fonction des sume : Le but de cette e Re mes muscles et sur la distance maximale franchie au cours dune e preuve subse quente consistant en un jeu de pied dinme progressive au badminton (FWmax). Dix joueurs de badminton participent a ` cette e preuve en trois occasions diffe tensite finies ale atoirement. Dans les e preuves placebo et expe rimentale, le chauffement des muscles inspiratoires rentes de ries de 30 respirations en pre sence dune re sistance a ` linspiration e quivalent a ` 15 % (PLA) et a ` 40 % consiste en deux se preuve de contro le nest pas pre ce de e (IMW) respectivement de la pression buccale maximale au cours de linspiration; le chauffement. Dans le preuve expe rimentale, la pression maximale au cours de linspiration en pre sence dun de bit de le nul (P0) et maximal (MRPD) augmente respectivement de 7,8 4,0 % et de 6,9 3,5 % comparativement aux valeurs de le (p < 0,05). La performance a ` FWmax est ame liore e de 6,8 3,7 % et la pente de la droite de re gression illustrant contro la relation entre la sensation dessoufflement en fonction du temps (RPB/min) diminue significativement (p < 0,05). On e de le preuve est identique a ` celle de le preuve observe une diminution du taux de lactate sanguin ([La]b) quand la dure le (p < 0,05). Dans la condition PLA, on nobserve aucun changement comparativement aux valeurs de contro le. de contro lations ne gatives entre P0 et RPB/min (r2 = 0,58), MRPD et Dans la condition IMW (n = 10), on observe des corre ` s ces observations, RPB/min (r2 = 0,48), RPB/min et FWmax (r2 = 0,55), mais pas entre [La]b et FWmax. Dapre chauffement spe cifique des muscles inspiratoires ame liore le jeu de pied au cours dune e preuve subse quente dintensite le valuation du jeu de pied. Lame lioration du jeu de pied est en partie due a ` la diminution de la sensaprogressive pour le e par lame lioration de la fonction des muscles inspiratoires; en me me temps, on note une re tion dessoufflement cause duction relativement mineure du taux de lactate sanguin.

Received 19 December 2006. Accepted 18 May 2007. Published on the NRC Research Press Web site at apnm.nrc.ca on 2 November 2007. H. Lin and C. Huang. Physical Education Department, Liaoning Normal University, Huanghe Road 850, Dalian, Liaoning, China. T.K. Tong.1 Dr. Stephen Hui Research Centre for Physical Recreation and Wellness, NAB210, L2, David C. Lam Bldg. Shaw Campus, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China; Department of Physical Education, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China. J. Nie. Physical Education Department, Liaoning Normal University, Huanghe Road 850, Dalian, Liaoning, China; School of Physical Education and Sports, Macao Polytechnic Institute, Macao, China. K. Lu and B. Quach. Department of Physical Education, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China.
1Corresponding

author (e-mail: tongkk@hkbu.edu.hk).

doi:10.1139/H07-077
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chauffement, badminton, fonction des muscles inspiratoires, essoufflement, taux de lactate sanguin, perfors : e Mots-cle ` leffort. mance a daction] [Traduit par la Re

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Introduction
Generally, warm-up exercises in sports are of a moderate intensity (Karvonen 1992). However, the accompanying mild ventilatory demand does not effectively enhance the ventilatory muscles to work at optimal synergy (Volianitis et al. 1999). The addition of inspiratory muscle (IM) warmup activity to a sport-specific warm-up protocol appears to improve this shortcoming, as there has been evidence of improvements in IM function and all-out performance in rowing resulting from the integration of the two types of warmup activity (Volianitis et al. 2001a, 2001b). Recently, we noted that the advantages of the integrated warm-up protocol on exercise performance were not limited in rowers rowing in a crouched position. The improvements also appeared in subjects performing exhaustive intermittent running in an upright position (Tong and Fu 2006). During the intermittent run to exhaustion, the enhanced dynamic IM function resulting from the addition of the IM warm-up activity to a general whole-body warm-up protocol lessened the perceived breathless sensation and in turn improved exercise tolerance. Badminton is characterized by high-intensity intermittent exercise with an average rally duration of approximately 5 s in matches for players of comparable skill levels and a workrest ratio of about 1:2 (Docherty 1982; Wonisch et al. 2003). Footwork in badminton requires the ability to move around the court to get into position for the shuttle while maintaining balance, and is one of the determinants of suc rd 1996). In contrast to the cycess on the court (mosega clic movement of legs during running, badminton players are required to perform different types of footwork, mainly the repeated forward and backward braking, push-off, gliding, lunging, and jumping at various speeds. In comparison to the relatively stable trunk position during running, the frequent and rapid trunk movement (e.g., leaning forward while lunging) associated with badminton footwork may position the IM to function under less favorable conditions (Duranti et al. 2004). In addition, badminton-specific arm movement, which varies from the overhead smash to the net shot, may interfere with the IM to different extents (Cerny and Ucer 2004). In comparison with running upright at a given ventilation, the IM force output and the resultant breathless sensation of badminton players during a badminton game may be greater. It is presently unknown whether the ergogenic effect of the IM-specific warm-up shown previously to be of benefit in intense intermittent running could also benefit badminton footwork performance. The available evidence suggests that a general warm-up regimen can lessen lactate accumulation in muscles and blood in subsequent intense dynamic exercise (Gray et al. 2002; Robergs et al. 1991). However, previous studies did not demonstrate whether the improved exercise performance in rowing and intense intermittent running resulting from the IM-specific warm-up was associated with the alteration of blood lactate ([La]b) accumulation during the exercise (Tong and Fu 2006; Volianitis et al. 2001b). This study was designed to examine the effects of incorporating a IMspecific warm-up into a badminton-specific warm-up protocol on the perceived breathless sensation, [La]b accumulation, and footwork performance in badminton players during a subsequent maximum incremental badminton-footwork test. The effect of the integrated warm-up protocol on IM function was also assessed.

Materials and methods

Subjects Ten male badminton players who were asymptomatic for cardiopulmonary disease and who engaged in regular badminton training were recruited for this study. After being fully informed of the experimental procedures and possible discomfort associated with the exercise test, subjects gave their written consent. Ethical approval for this study was obtained from the Committee on the Use of Human and Animal Subjects in Teaching and Research of Hong Kong Baptist University. The physical characteristics of the subjects are presented in Table 1. Procedures Preliminary testing and familiarization Before experimental trials, lung function, maximum inspiratory mouth pressure, and aerobic capacity were assessed. The details of these assessments were previously reported (Tong et al. 2001). After the preliminary testing, a familiarization trial identical to the control trial was undertaken to familiarize the subject with the sensation of exercising to exhaustion, and with the testing equipment and procedures. Experimental design In this study, the subject was required to perform identical IM function tests and maximum incremental badminton-footwork tests (Wonisch et al. 2003) in three conditions chosen at random. In the control trial (CON), the subject performed badminton-specific warm-up activity alone. In the two IM warmup trials, the subject performed the identical badminton-specific warm-up plus an IM warm-up that was composed of two sets of 30-breath manoeuvres with an inspiratory pressure threshold equivalent to 15% (PLA) and 40% (IMW) maximum inspiratory mouth pressure, respectively. The IM warm-up in PLA, which was shown to have no significant effect on IM function in our previous study (Tong and Fu 2006), served as the placebo, whereas the IMW was the experimental trial. The badminton test in the IMW condition was repeated to ascertain reproducibility of the changes in the maximum footwork performance from the control. Moreover, to compare [La]b accumulation during the badminton test under different warm-up conditions, the IMW trial was repeated again with the iso#

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1084 Table 1. Physical characteristics of the subjects (n = 10). Age (y) 232 Height (cm) 1724 Body mass (kg) 653 FVC (L) 4.40.3 FEV1 (L) 3.70.3 FEV1/FVC (%) 862 12 s MVV (Lmin1) 18615

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Maximum oxygen consumption (mLkg1min1) 516

HRmax (beatsmin1) 1965

Note: FVC, forced vital capacity; FEV1, forced expiratory volume in 1 s; 12 s MVV, maximum voluntary ventilation measured in 12 s; HRmax, maximum heart rate recorded in the maximum graded treadmill running test. Data are presented as means SD.

duration of the CON trial (ISO). In this study, the IM function test was performed in an air-conditioned laboratory with the temperature and relative humidity set at 22 8C and 70%, respectively. The badminton test was conducted in an indoor badminton court that was next to the laboratory, which has an environment similar to that in the laboratory. Before each trial, the subject refrained from eating for at least 2 h and from participation in strenuous physical activity for at least 1 d. All trials were scheduled to occur at the same time of day and were separated by a minimum of 3 d. Protocol After reporting to the laboratory, a pre-exercise blood sample was taken shortly after a 10 min rest. Prior to the IM function test, the subjects completed a standardized badminton-specific warm-up consisting of (i) 5 min moderate treadmill running at a self-selected speed, (ii) 10 min of stretching exercise, and (iii) 5 min of badminton footwork rd activity on the court at a self-selected pace (mosega 1996). The treadmill running speed and the badminton footwork pace were identical in all trials. In the IM warm-up trials, the IM warm-up activity was performed in between the stretching exercise and the badminton footwork activity. Subsequent to the IM function test, the badminton test was performed. Five minutes after the badminton test, a post-exercise blood sample was taken. The IM warm-up protocol and related measuring instruments used in the present study have been described in our previous study (Tong and Fu 2006). Briefly, the protocol consisted of two sets of 30 breaths using a POWERbreathe IM trainer (Gaiam Ltd., Warwickshire, UK) at 15% and 40% maximum inspiratory mouth pressure in PLA and IMW trials, respectively. During the IMW trial, the subject was instructed to initiate every breath from the residual volume in a powerful manner. The inspiratory effort was continued until the inspiratory capacity for the preset loading limited further excursion of the thorax. During the PLA trial, the breaths were performed gently and the respiratory time of each breath was protracted. Inspiratory pressure, flow, and volume of each breath were monitored throughout the warm-up activity. The subjects were blinded to the true purpose of the study by a message that suggested a comparison of the effects of the powerful-type and the endurance-type IM warm-up protocols on badminton footwork. In this study, IM function was assessed by measuring the maximal inspiratory pressure at zero flow (P0 (cmH2O)) and the maximum rate of pressure development (MRPD (cmH2Oms1)). The MRPD occurred during the initial incline of the curve of P0, which was defined as the positive peak of the pressure derivative as a function of time. The IM function testing procedure was reported previously (Tong and Fu 2006). Briefly, the subject was seated while

Fig. 1. The setup of the maximum incremental badminton-footwork test is shown. C, central point; PC, computer set with an LCD monitor. Arrows indicate the direction of footwork.

performing maximum inhalation at residual volume against an occluded airway with a 1 mm orifice. The change of inspiratory pressure with time during the maximum inhalation was recorded and the pressuretime curve was shown as a visual feedback to the subject after each trial. The data of three technically correct maximum inhalation trials were collected and the trial with the highest peak pressure was used for analysis. For assessing maximum badminton-footwork performance (FWmax) in players, we used an incremental field test designed for evaluating aerobic performance in badminton footwork on the court (Wonisch et al. 2003). The direction of the footwork in the test is shown in Fig. 1. During the test, the subject at central point C started with a synchronized audio-visual computer signal monitored with a customized program. The subject performed the badminton footwork of pushing-off and lunging to P1, followed by an underhand stroke to touch the net with the racket, and moved immediately back to C. On the next signal, the subject performed the same footwork to P2 to touch the net and back again. On the third signal, the subject pushed off and glided backward to P3 performing a jump turn along the centre line carrying out a simulated smash and returned to C. The sequence of the footwork was repeated while the initial velocity of 0.6 ms1 was increased every minute by 0.1 ms1. Following each level, there was a 10 s recovery period. The test was terminated when both feet of the subject twice continued to be more than one meter away from returning to C when the next signal was given. The total distance of the footwork covered was the FWmax. Measurements During the assessment of IM function, inspiratory mouth pressure was measured with a differential pressure trans#

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Lin et al. Table 2. Maximal inspiratory pressure at zero flow (P0) and maximal rate of P0 development (MRPD) in the CON, PLA, and IMW trials. Inspiratory muscle function Trial CON PLA IMW F(2, 18) P values P0 (cmH2O) 15229 15231 16430* 22.8 0.0002 MRPD (cmH2O) 0.460.09 0.460.09 0.500.10* 7.8 0.004 Maximum incremental badminton-footwork test FWmax (m) 1,537118 1,522116 1,640111* 41.0 0.0002 HR (beats.min1) 1945 1924 1915 1.6 0.213 RPE 201 201 201 0.5 0.630 RPB 9.80.4 9.70.5 9.41.0 2.1 0.157 RPB/min 0.560.08 0.560.08 0.520.07* 10.9 0.001

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Note: Maximum badminton-footwork performance (FWmax), heart rate (HR), rating of perceived exertion (RPE), and rating of perceived breathlessness (RPB) during a maximum incremental badminton-footwork test at exhaustion, as well as the slope of the linear relationship of the increase in the RPB for every minute during the test (RPB/min) in the three trials are shown (n = 10). *Significant difference from CON and PLA.

ducer coupled with a signal conditioner (Collins.) that was connected by polyethylene tubing to a 4 mm ID vent located near the scuba-type mouthpiece. The inspiratory pressure signals were digitized at 50 ms intervals with the PowerLab data recording system (ML785, ADInstruments). Before the assessment, the pressure transducer was calibrated by applying different levels of pressure indicated by the water- or mercury-filled U-tube manometer to the equipment. During the badminton test, heart rate (HR), rating of perceived intensity of breathlessness (RPB), and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were recorded before the exercise, at each 1 min interval, and at exhaustion. HR was recorded using a heart rate monitor (Polar). The RPB and RPE were assessed with the aid of Borg category scales (010) and (6 20), respectively, which were described in our previous studies (Tong et al. 2001, 2003). For [La]b, 25 mL of finger-tip blood was drawn for measurement with a YSI 1500 Sport Analyzer that was calibrated with lactate standards of 5 mmolL1 before each test. [La]b accumulation during the badminton test was the difference between pre- and post-test values. For examining the ventilatory and metabolic responses during the badminton test, four of the subjects were selected randomly to repeat the test in the three conditions. This was to avoid interference from instrumentation on the perceived intensity of breathlessness and footwork performance during the tests. During the repeated trials, minute ventilation, breathing frequency, tidal volume, inspiratory and expiratory times, duty cycle, and oxygen uptake of the subjects were recorded with a portable cardiopulmonary measuring instrument (MetaMax, Cortex). Statistical analysis The repeatability coefficient of a BlandAltman plot was calculated for determining the reliability of FWmax in the IMW trial. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with repeated measures was computed to examine the difference in the aforementioned parameters among the three conditions. Post-hoc analyses using LSD were performed when the main effects of ANOVA were significant. Relationships between variables were determined using simple regression. All tests for statistical significance were standardized at an a level of p < 0.05, and all results are expressed as means SD.

Results
IM function Table 2 shows the group means of P0 and MRPD in the CON, PLA, and IMW trials. It is indicated that the integrated warm-up protocol in IMW, but not in PLA, was effective to improve P0 and MRPD. Maximum badminton-footwork performance In this study, FWmax in the two identical IMW trials was 1658 121 m and 1640 111 m, respectively. The repeatability coefficient for FWmax in IMW trials was 8.79%; the mean difference between the first and second IMW trials was 17 72 m. Since FWmax in the IMW trial was reproducible, the data of all variables recorded in the second IMW trial were selected for analyses. In the three trials, there was no difference in FWmax between CON and PLA, whereas the FWmax in the IMW trial was significantly greater than that in either the CON or PLA trials (Table 2). Physical exertion and perceived intensity of the breathless sensation During the badminton test in the CON, PLA, and IMW trials at exhaustion, the physical exertion of subjects was severe with the RPE and RPB close to maximum and the HR close to the maximum value recorded in the preliminary maximum graded treadmill test (Table 2). No significant differences were found in the comparison of the three parameters at exhaustion among the three trials. For the slope of the linear relationship of the increase in RPB for every minute (RPB/min), the control value was maintained in PLA, but was reduced in IMW (Table 2). Moreover, when the changes () in RPB/min, FWmax, and P0 and MRPD of IM function in IMW were expressed as a percentage of control values, the RPB/min was negatively correlated with the P0 (r2 = 0.58, n = 10, p = 0.011) and the MRPD (r2 = 0.48, n = 10, p = 0.026). A negative correlation (r2 = 0.55, n = 10, p = 0.014) was further found between RPB/min and FWmax (Fig. 2). Blood lactate The [La]b accumulations in CON (6.5 1.8 mmolL1), PLA (6.7 1.4 mmolL1), and IMW (6.7 1.3 mmolL1) trials were not different, while [La]b was significantly lower in the ISO trial (4.7 1.2 mmolL1, p = 0.004). The [La]b
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Table 3. Ventilatory and metabolic responses of the four randomly selected subjects in the CON trial near exhaustion and at corresponding periods in the PLA and IMW trials. Trial CON PLA IMW Minute ventilation (Lmin1) 12018 12014 11312 fb (breathsmin1) 608 606 595 VT (L) 2.00.2 2.00.1 2.00.1 ti (s) 0.510.06 0.500.05 0.510.05 te (s) 0.520.09 0.520.06 0.540.06 ti/Ttot (%) 492 491 492 Oxygen consumption (mLkg1min1) 473 483 473

Note: fb, breathing frequency; VT, tidal volume; ti, inspiratory time; te, expiratory time; ti/Ttot, duty cycle. Data are presented as means SD.

Fig. 2. Percent change in the control value of the slope of the linear relationship of the increase in the rating of perceived breathlessness for every minute (RPB/min) plotted against the percent change in the control value of the maximum badminton-footwork performance (FWmax) in PLA and IMW are shown. Oblique lineindicates the regression of percent changes in RPB/min and FWmax in IMW (n = 10, r2 = 0.55, p = 0.014). 115

110

105

100

95 85 90 95 100 105 110 115 120 Percent Change in RPB/min (%CON)

IMW PLA

accumulation was not significantly correlated with FWmax (r2 = 0.34, n = 10, p = 0.078). Ventilatory and metabolic responses The mean values of 1 min ventilatory and metabolic responses of the four randomly selected subjects during the badminton test in the CON trial near exhaustion and those during the corresponding periods in the PLA and IMW trials are shown in Table 3.

differences in the response to the warm-up activity between the pressure and flow parameters indicate that the IMspecific warm-up protocol was effective in enhancing the IM force output rather than the muscle-shortening velocity. Accordingly, only the pressure parameters of P0 and MRPD were examined in the present study to reveal the warm-up effect on IM function. In comparison with control, P0 and MRPD in the IMW trial were increased 7.8% 4.0% and 6.9% 3.5%, respectively (Table 2). The increases in the two parameters were in agreement with the previous findings and further supported the previous notion that the IM-specific warm-up protocol is an effective means to enhance IM function (Hawkes et al. 2007; Tong and Fu 2006; Volianitis et al. 1999, 2001a). However, the underlying mechanism for the transient increase in IM function with preceding IM voluntary work was unclear, and the elucidation of the mechanisms was not the focus of this study. Nevertheless, it is reported that neural facilitation may contribute to the IM warm-up effect on improving the muscle force output capacity. The contribution includes the improvements in intra- and intermuscular coordination by removing reflex inhibition in IM and decreasing the degree of co-contraction between inspiratory and expiratory muscles (Volianitis et al. 1999, 2001a). Recently, enhancement of IM activation during maximal inspiratory efforts as reflected by increases in EMG activity in the diaphragm and intercostals was demonstrated following the IM-specific warm-up (Hawkes et al. 2007). Despite the lack of direct evidence, it is hypothesized that the increases in P0 and MRPD entailing from the IM-specific warm-up protocol were the integrated outcomes of the aforementioned mechanisms in addition to those that have not yet been noted. Perceived intensity of the breathless sensation During badminton rallies, the vigorous footwork of pushing-off, lunging, and rapid changes in direction, in addition to the work and arm movement involved in executing the smash, overhand, and underhand strokes, could induce the anaerobic system to deliver up to 90% of the required rd 1996). During breaks, enenergy to the muscles (mosega ergy from the aerobic system is required for repletion of the phosphagen store and removal of lactic acid from the muscles. In a badminton singles match, the aerobic energy demand can be up to 80%100% of the energy generation rd 1996). It has long been considered capacity (mosega that aerobic capacity is a factor in an athletes success in badminton. Its importance was revealed in the maximum _ O2max) of elite badminton players oxygen consumption (V
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Discussion
IM function Recently, an IM warm-up protocol identical to the one used in the present study was shown to enhance the maximum dynamic IM function. The enhancements were mainly found in the pressure parameters including P0 and MRPD, whereas the effect was negligible on flow parameters such as the maximum inspiratory flow (Tong and Fu 2006). The

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that was found to be, in general, higher than that of players in other ball games and just lower than the capacity typical endurance athletes possess (Mikkelsen et al. 1985). The maximum incremental badminton-footwork test used in this study was designed to evaluate the aerobic performance of badminton players in whom the results of a similar test had been shown to be correlated to the rank order of players (Chin et al. 1995). During the CON trial, the RPE and HR at exhaustion were closer to maximum (Table 2) and the corresponding ventilation and oxygen uptake in the four randomly selected players (Table 3) were over 60% and _ O2 max, respectively. The vigorous 90% of their MVV and V physical exertion of the players indicated that the footwork on the court, with the progressive increase in velocity, could tax the cardiorespiratory system to the same extent as occurred in an intense intermittent run at exhaustion (Tong and Fu 2006). Although the footwork was performed intermittently during the badminton test, the ventilatory demand in the breaks, mainly for phosphagen replenishment, does not fall appreciably. In addition, extra IM effort was required for the stabilization of the chest so as to facilitate the execution of the badminton strokes. The sustained heavy IM work eventually elicited a severe breathless sensation in the players. As a result, the RPB at exhaustion was close to maximum. During the IMW trial, when the IM-specific warm-up was performed in addition to the badminton-specific warm-up protocol, the RPB/min during the subsequent intense intermittent run was reduced to 93.8% 3.3% (ranging from 86.7% to 98.2%). The change in RPB/min could be partly attributed to the improvement in IM function as the changes in P0 and MRPD accounted for approximately 50% of the variance in the change in RPB/min in the IMW trial. Such findings provide further evidence that the IM-specific warm-up could reduce the breathless sensation in subsequent intense exercise by enhancing IM functional capacity (Tong and Fu 2006; Volianitis et al. 2001b). It also supports the previous notion that the perceived intensity of breathlessness in a normal person is an analog of the proportion of the maximum force used by IM in breathing (Redline et al. 1991). Nevertheless, the findings of this study (r2 = *0.5) revealed that there were factors other than the improved IM function that contributed to the reduction in RPB/min in the IMW trial. The possible factors behind the improved P0 and MRPD might be a temporary interference in the memorized association between perceived intensity of breathlessness and respiratory load resulting from preceded loaded ventilatory activity (Wilson and Jones 1990). It might also be due to neural facilitation elicited by the IM warm-up, thus reducing a portion of the IM force output normally spent on the work of the co-contraction of the inspiratory and expiratory muscles (Volianitis et al. 1999, 2001a). Maximum badminton-footwork performance It has been demonstrated that the normal severe breathless sensation elicited during intense intermittent exercise can limit exercise tolerance (Tong and Fu 2006; Tong et al. 2003, 2004). The limitation has been seen in subjects while they were either cycling in a crouched position or running upright. In this study, the addition of the IM-specific warmup to the badminton-specific warm-up protocol enhanced the

FWmax by 6.8% 3.7% (ranging from 2.1% to 12.8%); 54.8% of the variance in the FWmax enhancement was attributable to the reduction in the RPB/min (Fig. 2). Such findings reveal that despite the fact that most of the forward and backward eccentric braking, pushing-off, and lunging jumps in the badminton test were almost all carried out on one leg, which is in sharp contrast to the rhythmically cyclic leg movements in running and cycling, the footwork-induced breathlessness sensation, just as in the case of the intense intermittent run, did limit the maximum footwork performance. Although the IM-specific warm-up enhanced FWmax through the reduction of perceived breathlessness, the r2 of ~0.5 was less than that of the ~0.8 found previously in intense intermittent running. This implies the maximum badminton footwork performance was less dependent on the perceived breathless sensation. There might be other factors in the IMW condition that also contributed to the enhanced FWmax. However, other than reduced breathlessness, the data collected in this study did not precisely reveal the factors of the FWmax enhancement. Nevertheless, we noted that when the badminton test was performed in the IMW condition with the iso-duration of the CON trial, [La]b accumulation was reduced. However, the underlying mechanism for the reduction in [La]b accumulation is not clear. An increase in the aerobic contribution to total energy consumption should not be a factor, as the oxygen uptake recorded during the test in the CON trial near exhaustion was not likely to change due to the IM warm-up either in the IMW or PLA trials (Table 3). It is also unlikely to be a result of a reduction in lactate production in IM, as the muscles, mainly the diaphragm, are composed of a high percentage of oxidative fibres (Powers et al. 1997). Instead of contributing to [La]b during heavy exercise, the great oxidative capacity in IM allows them to take up and utilize the lactate released endogenously, as well as that carried by the perfusate arterial blood as a substrate (Fregosi and Dempsey 1986; Manohar and Hassan 1990, 1991). Recently, it was demonstrated that the IM-specific warm-up protocol used in the IMW trial improves the activation of the diaphragm and intercostal muscles (Hawkes et al. 2007). The increase in IM recruitment might be associated with an elevation of blood flow in the muscles (Armstrong 1988). In IMW, although we have not examined the EMG activity in IM, it is reasonable to believe that the IM-specific warm-up activity improved neural activation and blood flow to the muscles. The coupling of the plausible increased motor unit recruitment and blood flow in IM might facilitate the lactate uptake during the subsequent badminton test. As a result, the [La]b accumulation was reduced. It has long been considered that the accumulation of lactate or H+ in muscle or plasma is a major cause of the skeletal muscle fatigue that leads to impaired exercise performance. Reducing lactate production and (or) increasing its rate of clearance are advantageous for the maintenance of muscle force output (Karlsson et al. 1975). In IMW, however, the reduction in [La]b accumulation only tended to correlate with the FWmax enhancement in the players. The findings indicated that [La]b accumulation was not a dominant factor limiting FWmax. This might be due to the fact that lactate/H+ is not the
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sole cause of muscle fatigue, even with severe exerciseinduced acidosis (Cairns 2006). Moreover, the good predictability of [La]b that appears in exercise tolerance during continuous exercise may not be present during intense intermittent exercise due to the interspersion of recovery intervals. It has been shown that the performance of repeated short sprints was not directly affected by the accumulation of [La]b of up to 10 mmol, a level that is commonly associated with fatigue during continuous exercise (Balsom et al. 1992).

Conclusion
The incorporation of a IM-specific warm-up into a badminton-specific warm-up protocol in 10 badminton players improved their IM function in P0 and MRPD. Further, the integrated warm-up activity caused reductions in [La]b accumulation and perceived breathlessness in a subsequent maximum incremental badminton-footwork test. The reduction in perceived breathlessness, partly attributable to the improvement in IM functions, in turn enhanced the FWmax in players during the test. In contrast, the contribution of the reduced [La]b accumulation to the FWmax enhancement was relatively minor.

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2007 NRC Canada