Correlation Between Respiratory Muscle Strength and Physical Function, Muscle Mass in Elderly Male with COPD

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the correlation between respiratory muscle strength, physical function, and muscle mass in older menwith chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD). Methods: The study included 30 men aged ≥65 years with COPD in GOLD stages 2-3. Respiratory muscle strength, handgrip strength, and the 6-min walk test (6MWT) were measured, and bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) was conducted. Subsequently, a correlation analysis was conducted between the measured data and respiratory muscle strength. Results: Maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) showed significant correlations with the pulmonary function test and 6MWT, whereas maximal expiratory pressure (MEP) displayed a significant correlation with hand grip strength (HGS). The highest correlation was observed between MIP and the 6MWT. Conclusion: This study confirmed significant correlations among respiratory muscle strength, HGS, and the 6MWT in older men with COPD. The results highlight the need for ongoing research into the relationship among respiratory muscle strength, physical function, and muscle mass to indirectly predict respiratory muscle strength levels. This could help in managing respiratory muscle health and improving overall physical exercise function in patients with COPD.