The Effects of Inspiratory Muscle Training on Diaphragm Thickness, Inspiratory Muscle Strength and Exercise Capacity in Individuals With Sarcopenia

Sarcopenia, according to EWGSOP2(European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People-2019), is a progressive and generalised skeletal muscle disorder that is associated with increased likelihood of adverse outcomes including falls, fractures, physical disability, and mortality. Changes in muscle strength and muscle mass that occur with aging are not only limited to the skeletal muscles surrounding the axial and appendicular skeleton, but also occur in the respiratory muscles. With aging, respiratory muscle strength decreases, muscle mass decreases, and respiratory functions decline. In sarcopenic individuals; maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP), maximum expiratory pressure (MEP) and diaphragm muscle thickness values were found to be significantly lower. It is known that exercise is the most effective and valid way to treat sarcopenia. Considering the positive effects of IMT (Inspiratory Muscle Training) on both respiratory and physical parameters in the elderly population, we think that these changes can also be observed in sarcopenic individuals. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the effects of inspiratory muscle training on diaphragm thickness, inspiratory muscle strength, and exercise capacity in sarcopenic individuals.