Relationship Between Respiratory Muscle Strength and Conventional Sarcopenic Indices in Young Adults: A Preliminary Study

Abstract

Objective

To investigate the relationships between respiratory muscle strength and conventional sarcopenic indices such as skeletal muscle mass and limb muscle strength.

Methods

Eighty-nine young adult volunteers who had no history of medical or musculoskeletal disease were enrolled. Skeletal muscle mass was measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis and expressed as a skeletal muscle mass index (SMI). Upper and lower limb muscle strength were evaluated by hand grip strength (HGS) and isometric knee extensor muscle strength, respectively. Peak expiratory flow (PEF), maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP), and maximal expiratory pressure (MEP) were evaluated using a spirometer to demonstrate respiratory muscle strength. The relationships between respiratory muscle strength and sarcopenic indices were investigated using Pearson correlation coefficients and multiple linear regression analysis adjusted by age, height, and body mass index.

Results

MIP showed positive correlations with SMI (r=0.457 in men, r=0.646 in women; both p<0.01). MIP also correlated with knee extensor strength (p<0.01 in both sexes) and HGS (p<0.05 in men, p<0.01 in women). However, PEF and MEP had no significant correlations with these sarcopenic variables. In multivariate regression analysis, MIP was the only independent factor related to SMI (p<0.01).

Conclusion

Among the respiratory muscle strength variables, MIP was the only value associated with skeletal muscle mass.

INTRODUCTION

Sarcopenia is the age-related loss of skeletal muscle mass, muscle strength, and physical performance [1]. Since one longitudinal study suggested cut-off values of skeletal muscle mass for defining sarcopenia [2], a number of studies have been performed to suggest a specific definition of sarcopenia. The European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP) used low muscle function (muscle strength or physical performance) accompanied by low skeletal muscle mass to diagnose sarcopenia [3]. Although dynapenia, which is defined as the age-related loss of muscle strength, was considered to result from the loss of skeletal muscle mass [4], a recent study has suggested that the decrease in muscle strength is significantly more rapid than the concomitant loss of muscle mass [5]. Moreover, one study also reported that maintaining or even gaining muscle mass does not prevent age-related decreases in muscle strength [5].

The EWGSOP used knee flexor/extensor strength, hand grip strength (HGS), and peak expiratory flow (PEF) to measure muscle strength [3]. Knee flexor/extensor strength is known as a direct and important indicator of gait and physical function in the elderly population [6,7]. Isokinetic dynamometers are considered to be reliable and objective for measuring lower extremity muscle strength [8]. However, they are expensive, not portable, occupy space, and require long measurement times and trained raters [9]. A hand-held dynamometer can measure lower extremity muscle strength, but it has multiple limitations in its measurement position, joint angle, measurement site and type, and muscle contraction type and speed [10,11]. HGS is also recommended as a good simple measure of muscle strength according to the diagnostic algorithm of the EWGSOP [3]. Recently, the Asia Working Group for Sarcopenia proposed that HGS measurement is a feasible and convenient measure of muscle strength because of cost, availability, and ease of use [12]. Although HGS is convenient to measure, it has limitations in elderly people with arthritis of the wrist or hand and reflects only the localized function of the upper extremity.

However, sarcopenia is not confined to only upper or lower limb muscles but involves generalized loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength. Sarcopenia may also affect respiratory muscles and decrease functional capacity, affecting activities of daily living. It has been suggested that sarcopenia initiates a chain of events that lead to reduced pulmonary function and low physical performance [13,14]. Thus, to minimize respiratory complications, it is important to understand how sarcopenia changes respiratory function. The EWGSOP used PEF to measure respiratory muscle strength. However, research on the use of PEF as a measure of sarcopenia is limited, so it cannot be recommended as an isolated measure of muscle strength at this time [3].

Generally, maximum inspiratory and expiratory pressure are simple to measure and are helpful indicators of respiratory muscle weakness [15]. Clinically, maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP) is a widely applied technique for assessing inspiratory muscle strength. Maximum expiratory pressure (MEP) is the only generally available test for measuring expiratory muscle power [16]. Maximal respiratory pressure is disturbed early and is the single most sensitive measure of respiratory muscle weakness. They are measured using general tests of the combined neuromuscular function of the diaphragm, abdominal, intercostal, and accessory muscles [15]. To our knowledge, there is no report about the relationship between skeletal muscle mass and these respiratory muscle strength variables, although MIP and MEP are affected by sarcopenia.

Although sarcopenia is a phenomenon of aging, in a study about respiratory muscles in elderly people, it is complicated to control for a number of variables, such as many respiratory diseases including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Thus, we planned a preliminary study that targeted healthy young adults who had no respiratory diseases. In this preliminary study, we investigated the relationships between respiratory muscle strength and conventional sarcopenic indices in healthy young adults.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Participants

A total of 89 healthy young adult volunteers (53 men and 36 women) ages 20 to 39 were enrolled. Participants who had musculoskeletal diseases at the time of their recruitment, a history of major joint surgery that could have affected their limbs, abnormal physical examination findings in their joints, or a history of chronic medical illnesses such as hypertension, diabetes, or thyroid disease were excluded from this study. The study protocol was approved by the Institutional Review Board of Chung-Ang University Hospital (C2013236 [1196]). The subjects were recruited through advertisements and informed of the purpose and nature of this study on the written consent form.

Skeletal muscle mass assessment

Bioelectrical impedance analysis (InBody S10; Biospace, Seoul, Korea) was used to analyze the participants' body composition. Measuring the skeletal muscle mass using this instrument was already demonstrated to be effective in a number of clinical studies [17,18]. To improve test reliability, participants refrained from eating or exercising for at least 8 hours prior to the measurements and were instructed to urinate immediately before the measurements were taken. After height and weight were measured, four electrodes were attached to the extremities of each participant in the supine position [19]. As an index of muscle mass, we used the skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) calculated as [20]:

SMI (%) = Skeletal muscle mass (kg)/Weight (kg) × 100

Limb muscle strength measurements

HGS was measured using a hand-grip dynamometer (T.K.K.5401; Takei Scientific Instruments, Tokyo, Japan) that was widely used in clinical studies [21,22]. Participants were asked to assume the following position while sitting in a straight-backed chair with the feet flat on the floor: adduct and neutrally rotate the shoulder, flex the elbow to 90°, and place the forearm in a neutral position, with the wrist between 0° and 30° extension and between 0° and 15° ulnar deviation. The arm was not supported by the examiner or by an armrest. For grip strength measurement, a hand-grip dynamometer was presented in line with the forearm. Participants were instructed to squeeze the handle as hard as possible for 3 seconds, and the maximum contraction force (N) was recorded. The tests were performed three times for both hands, alternating between the right and left hands with a 60-second rest between each trial [23]. The highest value among the three repeated measurements was used for the analysis.

Knee extensor muscle strength (KES) was tested with a hand-held dynamometer (JTECH Medical, Salt Lake City, UT, USA). KES assessment using this instrument was revealed to be reliable and valid in one study [24]. The participants sat upright on a table with both lower legs hanging down, with the knees flexed at 90° and the thighs in a horizontal position. The examiner placed the hand-held dynamometer two fingerbreadths above the ankle joint and distal to the tibia and held it in place with an ankle belt. The participants were requested to push as hard as they could against the examiner's hand while the examiner pushed back until the examiner could break the position by overpowering the participants' isometric exertion [25]. Maximal knee extension force (N) was measured three times for each leg. The measurement was performed at greater than 30-second intervals. To calculate the peak torque (Nm), the distance (m) between the knee joint and the ankle was measured and then multiplied by the muscle force (N) measured by the handheld dynamometer. The highest value was selected as the maximal knee extensor strength and was used for the analysis. In order to prevent muscle fatigue, each muscle strength test was conducted at five-minute intervals.

Respiratory muscle strength measurements

Respiratory muscle strength was assessed by measuring PEF, MIP, and MEP using a spirometer (COSMED, Rome, Italy) that was widely used in clinical studies [26,27]. Spirometry was carried out in the sitting position while the participant wore a nose clip. Participants were instructed to prevent air leaks around the mouthpiece by pinching their lips around it and to support their cheeks during their expiratory efforts. To measure PEF, the examiner instructed the participants to exhale as quickly as possible through the mouthpiece after maximum inspiration and then repeat the maneuver three times. To assess MIP and MEP, subjects maintained maximal pressure in the same position for at least 2 seconds after inhaling or exhaling. MIP was measured at residual volume, and MEP was measured at total lung capacity. The participants carried out at least three acceptable inspirations/expirations to determine reproducible inspirations/expirations. The maximum values of each maneuver that varied by less than 20% were recorded [28].

Statistical analysis

We analyzed the skeletal muscle mass and various muscle strength measurements classified by sex because muscle strength differs between men and women. The demographic characteristics and laboratory variables of the participants according to sex were compared using an independent t-test. Correlations between SMI and the muscle strength variables were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficient. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to determine the independent effect of each respiratory muscle strength parameter on SMI adjusted for age, height, body mass index (BMI), and limb muscle strength. For statistical analysis, SPSS ver. 17.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA) was used. The results were considered to be statistically significant at p<0.05.

RESULTS

Participant characteristics

Characteristics of the study population are shown in Table 1. The mean age of the subjects was 26.56±3.48 years. The participants' mean SMI was 46.35%±4.07% in men and 41.44%±2.48% in women. The mean respiratory muscle strength values assessed by PEF, MIP, and MEP in men were significantly larger than those in women (10.14±1.45 vs. 7.01±1.07 L/s, 82.40±16.87 vs. 64.69±12.13 cmH₂O, and 83.11±18.19 vs. 62.75±11.60 cmH₂O, respectively; p<0.001 in all). Men also showed greater limb muscle strength assessed by KES and HGS than did women (p<0.001 in all).

Table 1. Characteristics of subjects according to sex.

Values are presented as mean±standard deviation.

MIP, maximal inspiratory pressure; MEP, maximal expiratory pressure; KES, knee extensor strength; PT, peak torque.

^*p<0.001 by independent t-test.

Correlation between respiratory muscle strength and muscle mass

In the correlation between SMI and respiratory muscle strength, only MIP correlated strongly with SMI in men and women. The correlation coefficients between MIP and SMI were 0.457 (men) and 0.646 (women) (p<0.01 in both sexes). However, PEF and MEP were not significantly associated with SMI in either sex (Table 2, Fig. 1).

Table 2. Pearson correlation coefficients (r) among respiratory muscle strength, limb strength, and skeletal muscle mass.

SMI, skeletal muscle mass index; KES, knee extensor strength; HGS, hand grip strength; PEF, peak expiratory flow; MIP, maximal inspiratory pressure; MEP, maximal expiratory pressure.

^*p<0.05, ^**p<0.01.

Fig. 1. Correlation is shown between (A) maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) and (B) maximal expiratory pressure (MEP) with skeletal muscle mass. The blue diamonds and solid lines show the results for men; the red hollow squares and dotted lines represent the results for women. SMI, skeletal muscle mass index.

Correlation between respiratory muscle strength and limb muscle strength

In the correlation between respiratory and limb muscle strength, only MIP showed a significant correlation with KES and HGS, with the correlation coefficients being 0.428 (p<0.01) and 0.306 (p<0.05) in men and 0.469 (p<0.01) and 0.611 (p<0.01) in women. However, PEF and MEP were only associated significantly with KES in men and not associated with limb muscle strength in any area in women (Table 2).

Multiple linear regression analysis of the relationship between skeletal muscle mass and respiratory muscle strength

In regression analysis that included age, height, BMI, PEF, MIP, MEP, KES, and HGS, factors related to SMI in men were BMI, MIP, KES, and HGS (β=-0.520, 95% CI -1.145 to -0.549, p=0.001; β=0.401, 95% CI 0.023 to 0.170, p=0.011; β=0.249, 95% CI 0.006 to 0.116, p=0.030; β=0.298, 95% CI 0.088 to 0.463, p=0.005, respectively), and those that were related to SMI in women were BMI, MIP, and HGS (β=-0.498, 95% CI -1.017 to -0.442, p=0.001; β=0.341, 95% CI 0.001 to 0.139, p=0.048; β=0.478, 95% CI 0.047 to 0.576, p=0.023, respectively) (Table 3).

Table 3. Multiple linear regression analysis for various parameters including muscle strength associated with skeletal muscle mass index.

BMI, body mass index; PEF, peak expiratory flow; MIP, maximal inspiratory pressure; MEP, maximal expiratory pressure; KES, knee extensor strength; HGS, hand grip strength; β, standardized coefficients.

^*p<0.05, ^**p<0.01.

DISCUSSION

In this preliminary study of healthy young adults, we measured muscle mass, upper and lower extremity muscle strength, and respiratory muscle strength. We found that among the respiratory muscle strength parameters, only MIP correlated with muscle mass. We also found that muscle mass and MIP were independently correlated after we adjusted for age, height, BMI, and limb muscle strength in both men and women. To our knowledge, this is the first study to reveal the independent relationship between skeletal muscle mass and respiratory muscle strength.

Sarcopenia has been mostly investigated with respect to limb muscle mass and function rather than respiratory muscle function. Numerous studies have reported that decreased limb muscle strength is associated with decreased physical performance [6,7], physical disability [29,30], and even death [31] in older persons. However, the etiology of decreased physical function or death could be associated directly with sarcopenia of the respiratory muscles [13,14,32]. Recently, sarcopenia of the diaphragm in aging mice was demonstrated, and this change in the diaphragm may contribute to respiratory complications with aging [33]. However, this finding is limited only to the effect of the diaphragm on pulmonary function. Weakness of the respiratory muscles is an important problem that leads to a number of pulmonary complications and death. In one study, reduced MIP was an independent risk factor for cardiovascular events such as myocardial infarction, cardiovascular disease, stroke, and death [34]. Huang et al. [35] reported that inspiratory muscle strength training increases MIP and improves functional status in older adults without chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Thus, assessing respiratory muscle strength is invaluable for estimating functional capacity and medical prognosis.

The EWGSOP recommended measuring PEF to determine respiratory muscle strength because it is an inexpensive, simple, and widely accessible technique. However, PEF is not an appropriate indicator of respiratory muscle strength because it evaluates the extent of airflow limitation. In other words, a change in PEF reflects alteration in the caliber of large airways [36]. Thus, PEF monitoring has been used for clinically managing patients with asthma. Although one study reported that expiratory muscle strength training could affect the cough function in the elderly, which is correlated with PEF [37], another study showed a contradictory result. Tamplin and Berlowitz [38] suggested that respiratory muscle training appears to be effective at increasing MIP and MEP, whereas no effect was found for PEF. Therefore, we thought that the validity of PEF in sarcopenic research could be deferred and that additional studies are needed. The most widely used tests of global respiratory muscle strength are the static maximum pressures (MIP and MEP) measured through the mouth [16]. MIP and MEP can easily be measured with a portable mouth pressure meter in the clinical setting [15]. Thus, MIP and MEP might be better sarcopenia parameters than PEF for assessing precise respiratory muscle strength.

A number of studies have addressed the relationships between respiratory strength and limb strength. Simoes et al. [39] reported that both MIP and MEP were positively correlated with knee flexor and extensor strength in the elderly. Buchman et al. [13] also suggested that upper and lower extremity muscle strength were correlated with respiratory muscle strength in 960 elderly patients. The current study also revealed positive correlations between respiratory muscle strength and limb muscle strength. However, in the current study, limb muscle strength was positively correlated only with MIP, not MEP, unlike the aforementioned studies.

Although MIP and MEP both reflect respiratory muscle strength, only MIP showed an independent association with the sarcopenic index in this study. This finding might originate from the differences between the inspiratory and expiratory muscles. The diaphragm, internal intercostals of the parasternal region, external intercostals, and other accessory muscles mainly constitute the inspiratory muscles. The lateral internal intercostals and abdominal muscles constitute the expiratory muscles [40]. Because the muscle mass of inspiration is greater than that of expiration, we postulate that MIP could reflect a person's sarcopenic status more accurately than MEP. To our knowledge, there is no report about the timing of inspiratory and expiratory muscle involvement with sarcopenia.

There are a number of limitations in this study. First, all participants were young adults. As a preliminary study to investigate the relationship between respiratory muscle strength, limb muscle strength, and skeletal muscle mass, the participants were restricted to young adults in order to control the variables and to simplify the study structure. To generalize the results of this study, additional studies of elderly patients who have clinical sarcopenia may be needed. Second, the relatively small sample size might have masked some statistical trends. Accordingly, a larger study is needed to clarify the influence of sarcopenia on respiratory muscle strength. Third, the muscle strength measurements were volitional tests. That is, the participants had to perform maximal contractions for the results to be true measures of strength. Although all accuracy recommendations suggested by the American Society of Hand Therapists and the American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society statement were followed, muscle strength measurements might have been performed sub-optimally, producing a biased estimate.

In conclusion, respiratory muscle strength assessed by MIP had correlations with skeletal muscle mass, knee extensor strength, and hand grip strength in healthy young adults. In contrast, no associations were found for PEF or MEP. However, additional studies are needed to investigate the feasibility of respiratory muscle strength parameters for evaluating muscle mass and functional outcomes of the elderly with sarcopenia.