Respiratory muscle strengths and its association with body composition and functional exercise capacity in non-obese young adults

Background
The assessment of cardiopulmonary problems, exercise capacity, and inspiratory and expiratory muscle strength all depend on body composition, which is a crucial factor in determining human health.

Objectives
The present study aimed to examine the effect of body composition and functional exercise capacity on respiratory muscle strength in young healthy adults.

Material and methods
In the prospective study, sixty individuals aged between 18–25 years of age who were non-obese were evaluated in terms of body composition by body mass index, respiratory muscle strength by mouth pressure threshold and functional exercise capacities by six minute walking test and sit to stand test. Also, sociodemographic characteristics such as age, gender, education level, height and weight of the participants were recorded.

Results
The relationship between body density (BD) parameters and inspiratory muscle strength was found to be moderate (r = 0.394, p < 0.05), while the relationship between expiratory muscle strength was found to be minimal (r = 0.282, p < 0.05). When other measurements and respiratory muscle strength were compared, it was found that the parameters are unrelated to one another (p > 0.05).

Conclusions
Present study showed a significant correlation between body density and inspiratory and expiratory respiratory muscle strength. However, no correlation was found between body composition and functional exercise capacity and respiratory muscle strength. Body density increment will affect respiratory muscle strength negatively.