4.2. Experimental Design 
This is a longitudinal, randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled, parallel design trial. The study design was based on the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) recommendations [The procedures of the experimental protocol and IMT were performed at the Cardiovascular Physical Therapy Laboratory—Physical Exercise Research Nucleus at the Department of Physical Therapy—UFSCar. The acquisition of the Thirty days before the experimental protocol, all participants underwent a nutritional evaluation and were provided with a dietary plan by a dietitian, which was maintained in entirety during the study to minimize the effects of dietary variations on metabolism during the experimental period. Participants followed the dietary plan based on individual total energy expenditure (estimated) and a balanced diet in terms of macronutrient composition: 45–60% carbohydrate, 10–35% protein and 25–30% fat [Prior to the IMT, blood samples were obtained after a 12 h fasting period. For the physical characterization of the participants at baseline, body composition was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) (Discovery DXA System, Hologic, Marlborough, MA, USA); IMS was measured during maximal inspiratory effort maneuvers using a digital manovacuometer (MVD-300, 179 Globalmed, Porto Alegre, Brazil); and aerobic power (For this double-blind study, the participants were blinded to the exact training loads they were submitted, using a barrier over the computer screen. The researchers who performed the assessments did not participate in the training sessions. The researcher who carried out the study analyses (tabulation, data processing, and statistical analyses) did not participate in the randomization or training of the participants. Thus, after tabulating all the data, the same person received from the other researcher the codes for each participant with their respective training group assignment for statistical analysis.