Effects of Combined Inspiratory Muscle Resistance Training and Lower Limb Resistance Training on Enhancing Cardiopulmonary Function and Respiratory Muscle Strength in Military Personnel

Background Cardiopulmonary function and respiratory muscle resilience are critical for military personnel to adapt to high-intensity combat environments. Inspiratory muscle training (IMT) and lower limb resistance training individually improve respiratory muscle strength and systemic metabolic capacity, respectively, but their combined effects in military populations remain understudied. Methods Sixty non-commissioned officer cadets (18–22 years old) from the Shijiazhuang Campus of the Army Engineering University were randomly divided into an experimental group (combined IMT + lower limb resistance training) and a control group (IMT alone) for a 12-week intervention. Respiratory muscle strength (maximal inspiratory pressure [MIP], maximal expiratory pressure [MEP]), cardiopulmonary function (maximal oxygen uptake [VO₂max], anaerobic threshold [AT]), and static pulmonary function (slow vital capacity [SVC], forced vital capacity [FVC]) were measured before and after training. Results Both groups showed significant improvements in MIP, MEP, AT, and VO₂max post-training (P < 0.01). The experimental group exhibited significantly higher MIP, MEP, and VO₂max than the control group (P < 0.05), while static pulmonary function indices (SVC, FVC, FEV₁, MVV) remained unchanged in both groups (P > 0.05). Conclusion Combined IMT and lower limb resistance training synergistically enhances cardiopulmonary function and respiratory muscle strength in military cadets, providing a scientific basis for optimizing military physical training protocols.