The Effect of Inspiratory Muscle Training on Balance, Falls and Diaphragm Thickness in the Elderly: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Decreases in body muscle mass, function and strength occur with ageing and this condition is called "sarcopenia". It is known that sarcopenic elderly people fall more than non-sarcopenic elderly people, their balance is negatively affected, their diaphragm thickness decreases and their quality of life may decrease due to their lower functional capacity. Although exercise training, which is considered among the approaches in the treatment of sarcopenia, has been shown to be an effective method, the effects of inspiratory muscle training applied at different intensities are relatively limited. Therefore, in this study, we are investigating the effects of low \[30% of maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP)\] and moderate (50% of MIP) inspiratory muscle training on respiratory and peripheral muscle strength, physical performance, functional capacity, balance, fear of falling, quality of life, diaphragm thickness and stiffness in sarcopenic elderly. In this study, participants are randomly divided into 3 groups: a low-intensity inspiratory muscle training group, a moderate-intensity inspiratory muscle training group and control (sham) group by simple random method after being evaluated for respiratory and peripheral muscle strength, physical performance, functional capacity, balance, fear of falling, quality of life, diaphragm thickness and stiffness.