Relationship between inspiratory muscle strength and balance in women: A cross-sectional study

• Published in: PloS one Vol. 18; no. 2; p. e0280465
• Main Authors: Azevedo, Ingrid Guerra, da Câmara, Saionara M A, Maciel, Alvaro C C, Vieira, Edgar R, Espinoza, Camila F L, Pichún, Sebastián M M, Viana, Elizabel de S R, Sousa, Silvana L de O
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Public Library of Science 15.02.2023; Public Library of Science (PLoS)
• Subjects: Age; Analysis; Biology and Life Sciences; Cross-Sectional Studies; Demographic aspects; Diaphragm (Anatomy); Exercise; Falls; Female; Health aspects; Health risks; Humans; Laboratories; Lungs; Maximal Respiratory Pressures - methods; Medicine and Health Sciences; Muscle Strength; Muscle Weakness; Observational studies; Older people; Paresis; People and Places; Posture; Regression models; Rehabilitation; Respiration; Respiratory Muscles; Sarcopenia; Women; Womens health; Brazil; Rio Grande do Norte Brazil
• ISSN: 1932-6203; 1932-6203
• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0280465

There is scarce evidence on changes at the functional level associated with the respiratory area in women. This study aims to analyse the relationship between inspiratory muscle strength and balance in women. In this cross-sectional observational study, the sample consisted of groups according to the results obtained in the balance test. Inspiratory muscle weakness was defined as maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP) ≤ 80% of the predictive value. MIP was carried out using through a mouthpiece, with an electronic manometer. Logistic regression model was used to examine if MIP predicts balance. 159 women participated in the study. Approximately 20% of them achieved balance ≤ 2 seconds and 18% presented MIP≤80%. MIP was associated with the time achieved in the one-leg support test. Subjects with MIP ≤ 80% of the predictive value show 3 times more risk of having a lower performance in the balance test (OR = 3.26). Inspiratory muscle weakness is associated with deficient balance in this sample. It shows the need for multidimensional assessment and rehabilitation strategies for patients identified as having MIP weakness and/or balance disorders.