Authors
Asuka Kimura, Graduate School of Sports Sciences, Chukyo University, Toyota, Aichi, Japan
Ryota Kurokawa, [1] Graduate School of Sports Sciences, Chukyo University, Toyota, Aichi, Japan, [2] Faculty of Human Sciences, Aichi Mizuho College, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
Reoto Fukuyama, Athletic Trainer Department, Nagoya Heisei College of Nursing & Medical Care, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
Takuya Shimizu, [1] Graduate School of Sports Sciences, Chukyo University, Toyota, Aichi, Japan, [2] School of Health and Sport Sciences, Chukyo University, Toyota, Aichi, Japan
International Journal of Exercise Science 19(4): 4012, 2026.
DOI: 10.70252/IJES2026412
Abstract
The Valsalva maneuver (VM) is often used during short-duration, high-intensity exercise to increase intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) and enhance performance via mechanisms such as spinal stabilization. However, the inspiratory volume self‑selected to maximize IAP remains unclear. Therefore, we aimed to examine the effect of inspiratory volume—including a self-selected (spontaneous) condition—on IAP during VM, and to determine the extent of interindividual variation in the self-selected inspiratory volume. Sixteen healthy young men performed the VM under five conditions: maximal expiration, controlled 40% and 80% inspiratory volume, maximal inspiration, and spontaneous VM (self-selected to maximize IAP). Percentage inspiratory volume (%VC) differed significantly across conditions (p < 0.001, partial η2 = 0.966); %VC during spontaneous VM varied substantially among individuals (65.3 ± 14.5%), far exceeding the variability of the fixed-volume conditions (SD = 1.1–4.7%). IAP also differed significantly across conditions (p < 0.001, partial η2 = 0.602); spontaneous VM (121.0 ± 39.8 mmHg) produced the highest IAP, significantly exceeding all others (48.3–90.4 mmHg; all p < 0.01, dz = 1.16–1.89). Fourteen of the 16 participants achieved their individual maximal IAP during spontaneous VM, with the remaining two at controlled 80% inspiratory volume or maximal inspiration. These findings indicate that self-selected breathing, rather than a single universally optimal inspiratory volume, most effectively maximizes IAP, likely reflecting individually optimized effort, comfort, and respiratory muscle coordination beyond inspiratory volume alone. Practitioners seeking to enhance IAP-related performance may encourage self-selected breathing during VM while accounting for individual variability.
Recommended Citation
Kimura, Asuka; Kurokawa, Ryota; Fukuyama, Reoto; Shimizu, Takuya (2026) “Self-Selected Inspiratory Volume and Intra-Abdominal Pressure During the Valsalva Maneuver in Healthy Young Men,” International Journal of Exercise Science, 19(4):4012.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.70252/IJES2026412