Objective: To observe the effects of inspiratory muscle training under low intensity [20% maximum inspiratory pres- sure (MIP)] and medium intensity (40% MIP) threshold load on diaphragm function, lung function and quality of life in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods: 120 COPD patients who were admitted to Heze Hospital of Shandong Provin- cial Hospital from April 2020 to May 2023 were divided into control group, low intensity group and medium intensity group according to the random number table method, with 40 cases in each group. Control group was given routine treatment; On the basis of control group, the low intensity group used 20% MIP as the initial load of inspiratory muscle training; Medium intensity group used 40% MIP as the ini- tial load of inspiratory muscle training. The lung function [forced vital capacity (FVC), MIP, forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1), peak expiratory flow (PEF), maximum ventilation volume per minute (MVV)], diaphragm function [diaphragmatic displacement (DE), deep inspiratory diaphragm thickness (DTei) and quiet end-expiratory diaphragm thickness (DTee), diaphragmatic thickness frac- tion (DTF)] and quality of life [COPD quality of life scale (COPD-QOL), St George's respiratory disease questionnaire (SGRQ)] were compared among three groups. Results: After treatment, MIP, FVC, FEV₁, MVV and PEF in control group, low intensity group and medi- um intensity group increased in turn (P<0.05). After treatment, DE, DTei and DTF in control group, low intensity group and medium intensity group increased in turn (P<0.05). After treatment, DTee in control group, low intensity group and medium intensity group decreased in turn (P<0.05). After treatment, the scores of COPD-QOL and SGRQ in control group, low intensity group and medium intensity group decreased in turn (P<0.05). Conclusion: Inspiratory muscle training can effectively improve lung function, diaphragm function and quality of life in COPD patients, and the effect of moderate intensity threshold load is the best. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]