5. Conclusions
The IMT promoted significant changes in the serum metabolomic profiles of apparently healthy recreational male cyclists, accompanied by improved strength of the inspiratory muscles. The identified metabolites suggest an increase in the oxidative metabolic processes after IMT at different intensities, with additional evidence for the upregulation of essential amino acid metabolism in the MI group. Although our results highlighted the impact of IMT on serum metabolic adaptations, the underlying mechanisms linking these outcomes remain largely unexplored. Future research should delve into the metabolic and molecular profiles of respiratory muscles and their integration with other tissues and body fluids, and should also include athletes from other sports modalities and even more vulnerable populations, offering potential therapeutic targets to improve performance or monitor respiratory health conditions.