Respiratory Muscle Strength in the Physically Active Elderly

Abstract

Advancing age is associated with a decline in the strength of the skeletal muscles, including those of respiration. Respiratory muscles can be strengthened with nonrespiratory activities. We therefore hypothesized that regular exercise in the elderly would attenuate this age-related decline in respiratory muscle strength. Twenty-four healthy subjects older than 65 years were recruited (11 males and 13 females). A comprehensive physical activity survey was administered, and subjects were categorized as active (n = 12) or inactive (n = 12). Each subject underwent testing of maximum inspiratory and expiratory pressures (PI(max) and PE(max)). Diaphragmatic thickness (tdi) was measured via two-dimensional B-mode ultrasound. There were no significant differences between the active and inactive groups with respect to age (75 vs. 73 years) or body weight (69.1vs. 69.9 kg). There were more women (9) than men (3) in the inactive group. Diaphragm thickness was greater in the active group (0.31 +/- 0.06 cm vs. 0.25 +/- 0.04 cm; p = 0.011). PE(max) and PI(max) were also greater in the active group (130 +/- 44 cm H(2)O vs. 80 +/- 24 cm H(2)O; p = 0.002; and 99 +/- 32 cm H(2)O vs. 75 +/- 14 cm H(2)O; p = 0.03). There was a positive association between PI(max )and tdi (r = 0.43, p = 0.03). Regular exercise was positively associated with diaphragm muscle thickness in this cohort. As PE(max) was higher in the active group, we postulate that recruitment of the diaphragm and abdominal muscles during nonrespiratory activities may be the source of this training effect.

Effects of Abdominal Exercise on Respiratory Muscles and Pulmonary Function in Healthy Males

“…DePalo found that abdominal exercise significantly increases transdiaphragmatic pressure that results in an increase in PImax and PEmax in healthy adults [10]. Summerhill found that active elderly subjects have higher PEmax and PImax compared to those in sedentary subjects [16]. Moreover, they speculated that physical activity involving the trunk and abdominal muscles might raise the intra-abdominal pressure; thus, enhancing respiratory muscle strength.…”

Relationship between frailty and respiratory function in the community-dwelling elderly

“…Accordingly, changes in the skeletal muscles due to aging can compromise respiratory muscle function [10][11][12] . Therefore, the results obtained in this study suggest that elderly under pre-frailty condition may present lower hand grip strength associated with reduced respiratory muscle strength.…”

“…The aging process promotes the decrease in muscle mass, strength and function, with repercussion in the respiratory muscles [10][11][12] . This situation may impact the performance of daily living activities, as well as in the functional capacity 13 .…”

Capacidade funcional submáxima e força muscular respiratória entre idosas praticantes de hidroginástica e dança: um estudo comparativo

“…[4][5][6] Estudo anterior indicou que o exercício aeróbio regular previne reduções na FMR relacionadas ao envelhecimento. 7 A dança é uma excelente forma de exercício físico aeróbico, e vários estudos [8][9][10] vêm demonstrando a sua importância para a manutenção da força muscular, sustentação, equilíbrio e potência aeróbia na população idosa.…”

“…Ao realizar manobras que aumentam a pressão intra-abdominal, o diafragma é ativado para minimizar a transmissão de alta pressão intra-abominal ao tórax. 27,28 Contraditoriamente aos resultados encontrados no presente estudo, onde houve variação significativa apenas da PEmax, Summerhill et al 7 encontraram melhora tanto da PImax quanto da PEmax de idosos. Segundo os mesmos autores, os idosos ativos rotineiramente envolvidos em atividades vigorosas que elevavam a pressão intra-abdominal tendem a fortalecer tanto o diafragma quanto a musculatura abdominal.…”