Respiratory Muscle Strength Training (RMST) Bootcamp

LIVE AGENDA:

5:00 – 5:10 PM EST | Welcome and Bootcamp Overview

• Introductions and participant goals
• Overview of RMST principles and evidence base
• Safety considerations and contraindications

5:10 – 5:40 PM EST | Foundations of Respiratory Physiology for RMST

• Inspiratory vs. expiratory muscle systems
• Neuromuscular mechanisms relevant to strength training
• Pressure–flow relationships
• Clinical populations that benefit from RMST
• Review of assessment tools: maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP), maximum expiratory pressure (MEP), voluntary cough measures
• Contraindications for RMST

5:40 – 6:10 PM EST | Evidence-Based RMST Protocols

• Overview of key empirical findings
• Strength vs. endurance protocol differences
• Loading principles and training progression
• Expected physiological and functional outcomes
• Role of RMST in airway protection, dysphagia, phonation, and cough augmentation
• Adjustments for patient safety

6:10 – 6:55 PM | Device Training & Demonstration

• Overview of commonly used RMST devices (including EMST150 and Powerbreathe)
• Proper setup, calibration, and resistance adjustment
• Demonstration of correct breathing technique
• Demonstration of measuring MIP and MEP
• Measuring voluntary cough and integrating into RMST
• Troubleshooting common user errors

6:55 – 7:20 PM | Guided Demonstration & Group Discussion

• Walk-through of MIP/MEP measurement procedures
• Review of common clinical errors and coaching cues
• Adapting assessments and training for telepractice
• Q+A

7:20 – 8:00 PM | Case Presentations & Clinical Application- – Interactive discussion of 4–5 clinical cases, including:

• Parkinson’s disease with impaired cough
• Stroke with neurogenic dysphagia
• COPD with respiratory muscle weakness
• Professional voice user with suboptimal expiratory support
• Additional complex case (e.g., long-COVID, ALS, or head and neck cancer)
• Building individualized RMST treatment plans
• Integrating contraindications into clinical decision-making
• Outcome tracking and clinical reasoning discussion

Dr. Christine M. Sapienza is an accomplished scientist, educator, and academic leader whose strategic vision has shaped major institutional advances at Jacksonville University. As Provost, she secured the University’s first four-year medical school partnership with the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM), expanding medical education opportunities in Northeast Florida. Previously, she served as Dean of JU’s inaugural College of Healthcare Sciences, where she led significant program development, strengthened research infrastructure, and advanced interdisciplinary health sciences education.

A nationally recognized speech scientist, Dr. Sapienza co-developed the EMST150 expiratory muscle strength training device with colleagues at the University of Florida, helping establish an evidence-based standard in respiratory therapy for voice, swallowing, and airway protection disorders. She has published more than 125 peer-reviewed papers and delivered hundreds of lectures, keynote presentations, and webinars to global clinical and scientific audiences. She has also mentored 16 doctoral students who have progressed to impactful academic and clinical research careers.

Widely respected for her collaborative leadership and commitment to innovation, Dr. Sapienza continues to influence the future of health sciences education and clinical practice.

FINANCIAL DISCLOSURES:

• Honoraria-MedSLP Collective

• Royalties received from Plural Publishing

NON-FINANCIAL DISCLOSURES:

• None

Additional Disclosure:

The following tools/products will be discussed or demonstrated during this course: EMST 150 and Powerbreathe. These examples are provided for educational purposes only. The MedSLP Collective does not endorse or promote any specific tools/products and their inclusion in this presentation is solely to support learning objectives.

Can I get ASHA CEUS for this Course?

Participants must complete and submit the following within 14 days of taking the course: a reflective statement of 150–250 words that identifies one key concept, technique, or insight learned during the course and explains how they plan to apply this learning in their clinical practice.

What is the Refund/Cancellation Policy?  

Click here to view our policy:  https://medslpcollective.com/cancellation-of-courses-and-events/

What can I do if I have a complaint?  

Please contact us at info@medslpcollective.com

Who is this webinar appropriate for?  

The target audience for this content is licensed speech-language pathologists. There are no prerequisite skills or knowledge needed beyond the basic speech-language pathology training and licensing.

What if I need special accommodations?  

If you require accommodations to access these materials due to a disability, please email us at info@medslpcollective.com