Association between inspiratory muscle function and balance ability in older people: a pooled data analysis before and after inspiratory muscle training

Abstract

Inspiratory muscle training (IMT) improved balance ability and respiratory muscle function in healthy older adults. The current study is a retrospective analysis to explore the relationship between inspiratory muscle function, balance ability, and adaptation to IMT. All participants (total = 129; IMT = 60; age range = 65–85 years) performed inspiratory and balance assessments, including the mini-balance evaluation system test, maximal inspiratory pressure, and peak inspiratory flow tests. Baseline inspiratory muscle function was positively related to balance ability (p < .05), and IMT-induced improvements in inspiratory function (23.3% in maximal inspiratory pressure, 8.0% in peak inspiratory flow rate, 14.9% in maximal peak inspiratory power) were related to improvements in balance (10.6% in mini-balance evaluation system test), with the greatest improvements (17.0%) observed in the oldest participants (76–85 years old, p < .05). In conclusion, with or without IMT, positive associations between inspiratory function and balance ability exist, with greater improvements in inspiratory muscle function related to greater improvements in balance ability.

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ORCID for James P. Gavin: orcid.org/0000-0003-0574-0502

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