Correlation of waist circumference with respiratory muscle strength in healthy individuals with normal body mass index

Volume : VIII, Issue : X, October - 2018

Dr. Seemi Retharekar, Dr. Radhika N Nivsarkar

Background &Objectives:The respiratory muscles include the diaphragm as the major muscle of inspiration along with

the intercostals and the scalene muscles. MIP is a measure of inspiratory muscle strength, whereas MEP measures the

strength of abdominals and intercostals which help in active exhalation. Thoraco–abdominal compliance is required for adequate excursion of

diaphragm during inspiration. Increased tone of abdominal muscles or increased abdominal contents will affect this compliance, also affecting

the rib cage–expanding action of the diaphragm. This relationship between the diaphragm and the abdominal muscles is crucial.Hence the need

was felt to study the correlation between the waist circumference(WC) and respiratory muscle strength(RMS) in normal healthy adults with

normal BMI.

Methodology:RMS was measured using Portable capsule sensing pressure gauge device in 200(100 males & 100 females) subjects.

Results:Pearson correlation coefcient(r) for WC and MIP was r=0.30 and for WC and MEP was r=0.26.

Conclusion:In normal healthy individuals, there is a weak to moderate positive correlation between the WC & the RMS.