饮食控制结合12周不同强度抗阻训练对高脂血症中年女性餐后血脂水平的影响

目的:探究饮食控制结合12周中等强度和低强度抗阻训练,对高脂血症中年女性患者餐后血脂的影响。方法:将60例高脂血症中年女性患者随机分为中等强度(60%一次最大重复负荷)训练组(MG,n=15),低强度(30%一次最大重复负荷)训练组(LG,n=15),饮食控制组(AG,n=15)以及对照组(CG,n=15)。两训练组均进行为期12周抗阻训练(3—4d/周,8节/d,3组/节,10—12次/组,组间休息1min,每天训练前后15min热身与放松),介入期间控制饮食,抗阻运动为包含上下肢和躯干的大关节,共8节动作的训练。AG仅进行饮食控制,CG保持原有生活状态。在治疗开始前和最后一次训练结束第2天中午饭后3h后测定其血脂,分析血液中甘油三酯(TG)、胆固醇(TC)、高密脂蛋白(LDL-C)、低密脂蛋白(HDL-C)含量,进行比较。结果:治疗前四组患者血液中TC、TG高于正常水平(P0.05),组间差异无显著性意义(P0.05);治疗后与CG相比,其他三组餐后TC均下降,但无显著性意义(P0.05),组间差异不明显(P0.05);治疗后与CG相比,其他三组TG均明显下降(P0.05),其中MG下降强于LG(P0.05),AG下降但无显著性意义(P0.05);治疗后两训练组HDL-C升高有显著性差异(P0.05),AG HDL-C升高无显著性差异(P0.05),组间差异不明显(P0.05);治疗后与CG相比,两训练组LDL-C均明显下降(P0.05),MG下降更明显(P0.05),AG下降但无显著性意义(P0.05)。结论:饮食控制结合中、低强度抗阻训练都能有效降低餐后TG、LDL-C水平和升高HDL-C水平,其中与中等强度抗阻训练结合对餐后血脂影响更明显。     

PGF2α对大鼠肌筋膜疼痛触发点自发肌电活动的影响

目的:观察肌筋膜疼痛触发点(MTrPs)模型大鼠外周血中前列腺素F2α(PGF2α)浓度变化情况,并通过体外注射PGF2α观察其对触发点肌电活动的影响,探究PGF2α与触发点的关系。方法:40只雌性SD大鼠随机分为对照组(CG组)、造模组(MG组)、生理盐水组(SG组)和PGF2α组(PG组),每组10只。除CG组外,其余三组采取打击结合离心运动进行干预8周,恢复4周,检测受累肌结节、紧绷带、局部抽搐反应和自发性电位;CG组正常饲养12周。12周后ELISA法测量各组大鼠血清PGF2α浓度。之后分别对SG组局部肌肉注射生理盐水,PG组局部肌肉注射PGF2α,CG组和MG组分别作为空白对照和模型对照不注射任何物质。干预后即刻记录各组静息状态下的自发性电活动。结果:与CG组相比,其余三组大鼠血清PGF2α浓度均显著性增加(P0.05)。给药后即刻,MG组、SG组和PG组大鼠均能记录到异常的自发电位,对照组大鼠基本无电活动,肌电波形形似一条直线。与CG组相比,MG组、SG组和PG组的肌电波频、波幅以及波长均有显著性差异(P0.05);PG组显著高于MG组和SG组(P0.05)。MG组和SG组之间相比各指标均无显著性差异。结论:PGF2α能增加触发点肌纤维的肌电活动,促使触发点活性增加。     

综合康复训练联合电刺激对产妇产后盆底肌功能的影响

目的:探讨综合康复训练联合电刺激对产妇产后盆底肌功能的影响。方法:盆底肌力3级产妇149例,随机分为对照组75例,观察组74例。对照组给予常规训练,观察组给予常规训练及电刺激生物反馈盆底训练,共康复6周。康复结束后比较2组盆底肌肉肌电值、阴道静息压(VRP)、阴道收缩压(VSP)及尿失禁率。结果:治疗后,观察组总肌电值,Ⅰ、Ⅱ类肌纤维肌电值及Ⅱ类肌纤维疲劳度均优于对照组(均P0.05);Ⅰ类肌纤维疲劳度与对照组差异无统计学意义(P0.05);观察组VRP及VSP高于对照组(P0.05),尿失禁率低于对照组(P0.05)。结论:产后产妇实施电刺激联合综合康复训练有利于改善盆底肌功能及尿失禁状况。     

电刺激联合生物反馈治疗对产妇盆底肌力的影响

目的 评估电刺激联合生物反馈治疗对产妇盆底肌力的影响.方法 选择2009年9月～2010年12月在本院足月妊娠分娩产后42d的产妇158例进行研究,随机分成2组.对照组进行常规产后复查及一般的产后健康教育.观察组除对照组的措施外,同时实施电刺激联合生物反馈进行盆底肌康复治疗1疗程.2组于产后4个月进行盆底肌压力检测并分析评价效果.结果 所选2组产妇临床基本资料差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05);产后4个月,观察组阴道静息压、盆底收缩压,Ⅰ类肌纤维持续收缩压、持续时间,Ⅱ类肌纤维快速收缩压、收缩个数均明显高于观察组,差异有统计学意义(均P＜0.01).结论 电刺激联合生物反馈治疗可明显提高产妇盆底肌力,预防女性盆底功能障碍性疾病.     

多肌群协同收缩的功能性电刺激治疗系统对早期脑卒中患者下肢运动功能的影响

目的:探讨多肌群协同收缩的功能性电刺激治疗系统对早期脑卒中患者下肢运动功能的影响。方法:70例早期脑卒中患者随机分为治疗组和对照组,对照组采用常规康复治疗,治疗组在常规康复治疗的基础上,增加多肌群协同收缩的功能性电刺激治疗系统治疗,分别在入组时、入组治疗2周和4周后对患侧髋关节屈曲肌力(MMT)、股四头肌肌张力(MAS)、下肢Fugl-Meyer评分(FMA-LE)及Barthel指数(BI)进行评定,并进行统计学分析。结果:治疗前两组患者的一般资料及MMT、MAS、、FMA-LE和BI评定结果均无显著性差异(P0.05);治疗2周、4周后,两组MMT、MAS、、FMA-LE和BI与治疗前对比,均有显著性意义(P0.05);治疗2周后,治疗组MMT、MAS和FMA-LE评分显著高于对照组,具有显著性意义(P0.05),但是两组间BI评分无显著差异;治疗4周后,治疗组MMT、FMA-LE和BI评分显著高于对照组,具有显著性意义(P0.05),但两组间MAS无显著性差异。结论:多肌群协同收缩的功能性电刺激治疗系统对早期脑卒中患者下肢运动功能具有明显的临床促进作用。     

基于成对关联刺激理论观察针刺联合经颅直流电刺激足运感区对卒中后尿失禁患者的临床疗效

目的:基于成对关联刺激理论观察针刺联合经颅直流电刺激足运感区对卒中后尿失禁患者的临床疗效。方法:将81例符合纳入标准的患者随机分为针刺组、经颅直流电组和联合刺激组,3组均进行基础治疗,在此基础上,针刺组取关元、中极、肾俞、膀胱俞针刺治疗;经颅直流电组采用经颅直流电刺激足运感区治疗;联合刺激组在行经颅直流电刺激足运感区同时针刺关元、中极、肾俞、膀胱俞治疗。在首次治疗前、治疗4周后对3组患者进行国际尿失禁咨询委员会尿失禁问卷简表(ICI-Q-SF)、尿失禁生活质量问卷(I-QOL)以及盆底肌电评估分析膀胱功能及盆底肌电电生理改变。结果:治疗后,3组盆底肌电快肌、综合肌、慢肌收缩均较治疗前提高(P<0.05),且ICI-Q-SF评分明显降低、I-QOL评分明显提高(P<0.05)。组间比较:治疗后,3组间快肌纤维快速收缩波幅变化差异无统计学意义。综合肌纤维收缩波幅变化比较:联合刺激组较针刺组和经颅直流电组明显提高,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);针刺组与经颅直流电组比较,差异无统计学意义。慢肌纤维收缩波幅变化比较:联合刺激组较针刺组和经颅直流电组明显提高,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);针刺组与经颅直流电组对比,差异无统计学意义。治疗后,联合刺激组ICI-Q-SF、I-QOL量表分值变化明显大于针刺组和经颅直流电组,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05);针刺组与经颅直流电组比较,量表评分差异无统计学意义。结论:针刺联合经颅直流电刺激足运感区能够更大程度地提高盆底肌肉的耐力和协调性。     

大豆寡肽抗疲劳作用的实验研究

目的探讨大豆寡肽对耐力运动小鼠的抗疲劳作用,为新型抗疲劳营养补剂的开发提供理论依据和实验基础。方法雄性KM小鼠150只,按体重随机分为5个小组,分别为正常对照组(CG)、大豆寡肽低剂量组(LD)、大豆寡肽中剂量组(MD)、大豆寡肽高剂量组(HD)、乳清蛋白组(WPC),每组30只,通过每天60min游泳练习建立耐力运动小鼠模型,连续灌胃30天后处死、取材,测定小鼠力竭游泳时间、肝糖原和肌糖原含量、血乳酸代谢水平和乳酸脱氢酶活性。结果HD、WPC组力竭游泳时间与CG组比较有显著性差异(P0.05),MD组与CG、WPC组比较有极显著性差异(P0.01);MD组小鼠肝糖原、肌糖原含量与CG组比较均有显著性差异(P0.05);MD、HD组小鼠游泳后15min血乳酸与CG组比较有显著性差异(P0.05);MD、HD组小鼠游泳后90min血乳酸与CG组比较有显著性差异(P0.05);MD组小鼠游泳后血乳酸平均清除率与CG组比较有极显著性差异(P0.01);MD、HD组血清中乳酸脱氢酶的活性与CG组比较有显著性差异(P0.05)。结论大豆寡肽能够延长小鼠力竭游泳时间,增加肌糖原和肝糖原含量,减少小鼠运动时的乳酸生成,促进运动后血乳酸的清除,从而起到一定的抗疲劳作用。     

神经肌肉刺激治疗仪结合盆底肌肉训练在产后压力性尿失禁中的应用

目的探讨神经肌肉刺激治疗仪结合盆底肌肉训练治疗产后压力性尿失禁的临床疗效。方法妇科门诊收治的产后压力性尿失禁患者60例,根据就诊顺序分为对照组和治疗组各30例,对照组在家自行进行盆底肌肉训练(kegel训练),观察组在自行进行Kegel训练的同时配合神经肌肉刺激治疗,利用盆底生物反馈治疗仪测量盆底肌肉收缩的最大张力,在肌肉电位图上最大电压值与治疗前提高50%代表治疗有效。结果电测肌电值的比较情况,总肌电值、I类肌纤维肌电值、II类肌纤维肌电值两组均明显升高(P0.05);两组肌纤维疲劳度有所降低(P0.05);观察组肌电值的改善情况显著优于对照组(P0.05);观察组总有效率(93.3%)显著高于对照组(70.0%,P0.05)。结论神经肌肉刺激治疗仪结合盆底功能训练可快速、有效缓解女性产后压力性尿失禁的临床症状,值得在临床推广。     

生物反馈联合穴位电刺激用于老年女性压力性尿失禁的疗效观察

目的:探讨生物反馈联合穴位电刺激治疗老年女性压力性尿失禁的临床疗效。方法:用随机数字表法将符合纳入标准的60例老年压力性尿失禁患者分为观察组和对照组,每组30例。两组均给予生物反馈盆底肌康复治疗,观察组在此基础上增加经皮穴位电刺激治疗,穴取次髎、肾俞、关元、气海。每周治疗3次,每次30min,4周为1个疗程。分别于治疗前和治疗后对两组患者进行盆底肌电评估,对比两组患者临床疗效。结果:治疗前两组患者盆底肌电位值差异无显著性意义(P0.05),经治疗后观察组患者在快速收缩、紧张收缩及耐力收缩的盆底肌电位分别为(39.10±2.92)、(35.14±2.78)和(30.40±2.33)μV,较对照组治疗后(28.80±2.96)、(28.34±4.26)和(23.17±4.03)μV明显提高,差异有显著性意义(P0.05);两组患者膀胱残余尿量、I-QOL量表评分、漏尿次数、漏尿量比较,观察组患者的各项指标明显优于对照组(P0.05);两组患者临床疗效比较,观察组患者总有效率为96.7%,显著高于对照组的73.3%,差异有显著性意义(P0.05)。结论:生物反馈联合穴位电刺激治疗老年女性压力性尿失禁效果显著。     

重复经颅磁刺激对脑梗死患者上肢运动功能的影响

目的:研究不同频率重复经颅磁刺激(r TMS)对脑梗死偏瘫患者上肢运动功能的影响。方法:符合入组条件完成研究的45例患者按随机数字表法分为低频刺激组(14例)、假rTMS组(14例)和高频刺激组(17例)。所有患者均给予常规药物治疗和康复训练,低频刺激组则在非受累侧初级运动皮质区(M1区)进行1Hz的rTMS治疗;高频刺激组及假rTMS组则在患侧M1区给予10Hz的rTMS治疗;所有患者接受2周治疗,每周5天。分别于治疗前、治疗2周后对患者进行评估,包括患侧脑区运动诱发电位(MEP)皮质潜伏期、中枢运动传导时间(CMCT)、患侧上肢Fugl-Meyer评分(FMA)、患侧上肢MAS量表,将各组所得数据进行统计学分析比较。结果:(1)治疗前,3组患者上述指标组间比较,差异均无显著性意义(P0.05);(2)神经电生理学变化:治疗2周后,3组患者的MEP皮质潜伏期、CMCT均较组内治疗前缩短(P0.05);1Hz组和10Hz组较前明显缩短且优于假r TMS组(P0.05);1Hz组和10Hz组组间比较差异无显著性意义(P0.05);(3)上肢功能改善:治疗2周后,3组患者上肢FMA评分均较组内治疗前提高(P0.05),其中1Hz组和10Hz组与假rTMS组比较有显著性意义(P0.05);但1Hz组和10Hz组组间比较差异无显著性意义(P0.05);(4)3组患者患侧上肢MAS量表评分均较组内治疗前有明显增加,有显著性差异(P0.05),但3组患者治疗后MAS评分组间比较,差异无显著性意义(P0.05)。结论:高频及低频rTMS治疗均有利于脑梗死患者上肢运动功能的恢复且两者间疗效无明显差异。     

Thickness of the middle trapezius muscle measured by rehabilitative ultrasound imaging: description of the technique and reliability study

A technique is described for measuring the thickness of the middle trapezius muscle using rehabilitative ultrasound imaging (RUSI). A test–retest study was employed to investigate the reliability of the technique in a convenience sample of 16 asymptomatic participants aged 20–41 (12 women). The middle trapezius muscle was imaged using RUSI with participants in a standardized sitting position. The principal investigator took measurements on two consecutive days to examine intra‐rater reliability, and two additional investigators took measurements on the second day to investigate inter‐rater reliability of the measurement technique. Reliability was examined using intra‐class correlation coefficients (ICC), standard error of measurement (SEM), and Bland and Altman plots. The results demonstrated that inter‐rater reliability was good between raters (ICC_2,3 = 0·81, SEM = 0·94 mm) and was moderate for the same rater between days (ICC_3,2 = 0·67, SEM = 1·0 mm). This study demonstrates that RUSI can be used reliably to measure muscle thickness of the middle trapezius muscle following the procedure described.     

Skeletal muscle characteristics in children 9–15 years old: force,relaxation rate and contraction time

Summary. Relaxation rate (RR), half contraction time to tetanus (CTT1/2) and force-frequency curves were investigated in 77 children, aged 9–15 years, using supramaximal stimulation of the ulnar nerve and recording from the adductor pollicis muscle. No sex differences were found in these variables. The RR was independent of age and similar to that in adults. The CTT1/2 was least at the age of 15. The only age-dependent parameter in the force-frequency curves was the relative force developed at a stimulus frequency of 10 Hz, which increased with increasing age. A fatiguability test was performed in 25 children. Reference values for the different parameters are given.     

The relationship between exercise‐induced muscle fatigue,arterial blood flow and muscle perfusion after 56 days local muscle unloading

In the light of the dynamic nature of habitual plantar flexor activity, we utilized an incremental isokinetic exercise test (IIET) to assess the work‐related power deficit (WoRPD) as a measure for exercise‐induced muscle fatigue before and after prolonged calf muscle unloading and in relation to arterial blood flow and muscle perfusion. Eleven male subjects (31 ± 6 years) wore the HEPHAISTOS unloading orthosis unilaterally for 56 days. It allows habitual ambulation while greatly reducing plantar flexor activity and torque production. Endpoint measurements encompassed arterial blood flow, measured in the femoral artery using Doppler ultrasound, oxygenation of the soleus muscle assessed by near‐infrared spectroscopy, lactate concentrations determined in capillary blood and muscle activity using soleus muscle surface electromyography. Furthermore, soleus muscle biopsies were taken to investigate morphological muscle changes. After the intervention, maximal isokinetic torque was reduced by 23·4 ± 8·2% (P<0·001) and soleus fibre size was reduced by 8·5 ± 13% (P = 0·016). However, WoRPD remained unaffected as indicated by an unchanged loss of relative plantar flexor power between pre‐ and postexperiments (P = 0·88). Blood flow, tissue oxygenation, lactate concentrations and EMG median frequency kinematics during the exercise test were comparable before and after the intervention, whereas the increase of RMS in response to IIET was less following the intervention (P = 0·03). In conclusion, following submaximal isokinetic muscle work exercise‐induced muscle fatigue is unaffected after prolonged local muscle unloading. The observation that arterial blood flow was maintained may underlie the unchanged fatigability.     

Muscular adaptations to fatiguing exercise with and without blood flow restriction

The purpose of this study was to determine the muscular adaptations to low‐load resistance training performed to fatigue with and without blood flow restriction (BFR). Middle‐aged (42–62 years) men (n = 12) and women (n = 6) completed 18 sessions of unilateral knee extensor resistance training to volitional fatigue over 6 weeks. One limb trained under BFR, and the contralateral limb trained without BFR [free flow (FF)]. Before and after the training, measures of anterior and lateral quadriceps muscle thickness (MTh), strength, power and endurance were assessed on each limb. The total exercise training volume was significantly greater for the FF limb compared with the BFR limb (P<0·001). Anterior quadriceps thickness and muscle function increased following the training in each limb with no differences between limbs. Lateral quadriceps MTh increased significantly more (P<0·05) in the limb trained under BFR (BFR: 3·50 ± 0·61 to 3·67 ± 0·62 cm; FF: 3·49 ± 0·73 to 3·56 ± 0·70 cm). Low‐load resistance training to volitional fatigue both with and without BFR is viable options for improving muscle function in middle‐aged individuals. However, BFR enhanced the hypertrophic effect of low‐load training and reduced the volume of exercise needed to elicit increases in muscle function.     

The reliability of assessing sternocleidomastoid muscle length and strength in adults with and without mild neck pain

Background: The sternocleidomastoid (SCM) is an important cervical spine muscle. Weakness of the SCM muscle has been implicated with cervical problems. No studies have examined the reliability of assessing the SCM muscle length or strength. Also no studies exist that have looked to see if imbalances in SCM muscle length or strength exists between the left and right sides in those with and without neck pain. Objective: To determine the reliability of assessing the SCM muscle for length and strength and to see if SCM length could predict SCM strength in those with and without neck pain. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Fifty-one subjects with and without mild neck pain. Analysis: Intratester reliability was assessed for SCM muscle length and SCM muscle strength. Differences in SCM length and strength were examined in those with and without neck pain. Results: Intratester reliability was shown to be excellent (ICC (2,2) > 0.90) for the left and right SCM when assessing muscle length and muscle strength for those with and without neck pain. No differences were noted when comparing left to right SCM between those with and without neck pain regarding muscle length or muscle strength. Neither regression models were able to predict SCM muscle strength from SCM muscle length. Conclusion: SCM muscle length and SCM strength can be reliably assessed using a bubble goniometer and HHD. No differences were found when comparing left to right SCM muscle length or strength in those with or without mild neck pain.     

Use of uniformly sized muscle fiber fragments for restoration of muscle tissue function

Treatment of extensive muscle loss due to traumatic injury, congenital defects, or tumor ablations is clinically challenging. The current treatment standard is grafting of autologous muscle flaps; however, significant donor site morbidity and graft tissue availability remain a problem. Alternatively, muscle fiber therapy has been attempted to treat muscle injury by transplanting single fibers into the defect site. However, irregularly organized long fibers resulted in low survivability due to delay in vascular and neural integration, thus limiting the therapeutic efficacy. Therefore, no effective method is available to permanently restore extensive muscle injuries. To address the current limitations, we developed a novel method that produces uniformly sized native muscle fiber fragments (MFFs) for muscle transplantation. We hypothesized that fragmentation of muscle fibers into small and uniformly sized fragments would allow for rapid reassembly and efficient engraftment within the defect site, resulting in accelerated recovery of muscle function. Our results demonstrate that the processed MFFs have a dimension of approximately 100 μm and contain living muscle cells on extracellular matrices. In preclinical animal studies using volumetric defect and urinary incontinence models, histological and functional analyses confirmed that the transplanted MFFs into the injury sites were able to effectively integrate with host muscle tissue, vascular, and neural systems, which resulted in significant improvement of muscle function and mass. These results indicate that the MFF technology platform is a promising therapeutic option for the restoration of muscle function and can be applied to various muscle defect and injury cases.     

Sonographic appearance of a partial rupture of the supinator muscle

We report the case of a 51-year-old woman who experienced pain and swelling in the right forearm after spinning cotton. History taking and physical examinations helped identify a tear of the supinator muscle, which was confirmed via sonographic examination. To our knowledge, this article is the first report of a supinator muscle tear diagnosed with sonography.     

深层肌肉刺激结合手法肌肉放松治疗延迟性肌肉酸痛的疗效观察

目的:观察深层肌肉刺激结合手法肌肉放松治疗延迟性肌肉酸痛的临床疗效,探讨更为有效的临床治疗方法。方法:将48名受试者随机分为联合治疗组(n=24)、手法肌肉放松组(n=24),两组患者诱发延迟性肌肉酸痛后,分别给予不同干预措施,联合治疗组进行深层肌肉刺激结合手法肌肉放松,而手法肌肉放松组给予单纯肌肉放松,对两组患者的治疗效果进行比较和分析。结果:联合治疗组在运动后24 h的血液肌酸激酶浓度、乳酸浓度和肌红蛋白浓度下降幅度显著高于手法肌肉放松组(P0.05,P0.01,P0.01);联合治疗组在运动后24 h肌肉酸痛的改善显著优于常规手法治疗组(P0.01),踝关节活动范围和小腿周径恢复程度显著优于手法肌肉放松组(P0.05,P0.05)。结论:深层肌肉刺激仪结合手法肌肉放松对延迟性肌肉酸痛有优越的治疗效果,是一种值得临床推广应用的治疗方法。     

Ultrasound imaging of the serratus anterior muscle at rest and during contraction

The purpose of this study is to describe a clinically feasible method for measuring the thickness of the serratus anterior (SA) muscle using rehabilitative ultrasound imaging (RUSI) and to determine the reliability of repeated measures of that method. An exploratory clinical measurement study using a test–retest methodology was utilized to determine the reliability of the measurements in a sample of 20 healthy subjects. While sitting with the arm flexed 120°, the SA of each subject was imaged at rest, during an active hold and while holding a three pound weight. On Day 1, images were repeated three times for each condition by the same examiner. On Day 2, Examiner 1 and Examiner 2 repeated the scans. Images were examined offline by Examiner 1 with SA thickness measured superior to the most distal rib in the image. Reliability was evaluated using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and Bland–Altman plots. The intra‐examiner reliability (same day) during rest, active hold and active hold with resistance was ICC_3,3 = 0·892; ICC_3,3 = 0·951; and ICC_3,3 = 0·869–0·971, respectively. Intra‐examiner reliability between days ranged from ICC_3,2 = 0·613 at rest to ICC_3,2 = 0·736 during active hold with resistance. Interexaminer reliability was moderate during active hold (ICC_2,2 = 0·526) and active hold with resistance (ICC_2,2 = 0·535) and poor during rest (ICC_2,2 = 0·425). This study demonstrates that SA thickness can be measured reliably using RUSI by the same examiner and suggests that active movements may increase that reliability.     

Adaptation of the Threshold IMT® with double spring load allows higher inspiratory pressure for muscle training

Purpose: We aimed to evaluate the functionality of an adapted inspiratory muscle training device designed to allow pressures higher than 41 cmH₂O that can be precisely controlled. The adaptation was made in a commercially available Threshold IMT^® device, and the opening pressures and linearity of load were evaluated in an experimental setting. Methods: The original IMT Threshold^® device was modified by inserting a second spring load juxtaposed to the original spring and then the modified device was coupled to a system designed to assess the range of opening pressures. Linear regression was used to test the correlation between the visual pressure scale of the original device and the opening pressure load obtained from the adapted device. Results: For the modified device, we found a range of load from 13·9 ± 0·7 to 85·6 ± 0·7 cmH₂O. Linear regression analysis of our data found an excellent relation between the modified device’s opening pressure and the preset opening pressure marked on the visual scale in the original device, y = ?1·275 + 2·08x, r² = 0·99 and P = 0·0001. Conclusion: The Threshold IMT^® adaptation proposed here is simple, affordable, precise, safe and allows for a high degree of reproducibility. It also achieves pressures higher than 41 cmH₂O that can be used when training inspiratory muscles.