Breathlessness or dyspnea is a primary characteristic of exercise-induced laryngeal obstruction (EILO) and prevents individuals from inhaling and exhaling without effort. The reduced ability to breathe then impacts their function in daily life and engagement in recreational activities. This single subject research study investigated the effect of inspiratory muscle training on maximum perceived breathlessness, maximum phonation time, duration of running, and quality of life regarding dyspnea with EILO in adolescent athletes. In this A-B-A design, five weeks of inspiratory muscle training was provided to five adolescent athletes, four females and one male, aged 10 to 16. Results showed a reduction in maximum perceived breathlessness as well as an increase in maximum phonation time. Participants rated their quality of life regarding their dyspnea during exercise as significantly improved on the Dyspnea Index. These findings contribute to the increasing body of literature investigating the use of alternative therapy strategies for treatment of exercise-induced laryngeal obstruction in adolescent athletes.
