Introduction: The presence of human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) associated with neuropathy (myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis - HAM/TSP), can generate morphological and functional changes in the respiratory system. As a preventive therapeutic possibility for respiratory dysfunctions, it is expected that the already conceptualized inspiratory muscle training, when performed at home, can be a therapeutic resource that favors adherence to treatment. Objective: To evaluate respiratory muscle strength in patients with HTLV-1 after participating in a home respiratory muscle training protocol under indirect supervision. Method: This was a clinical, longitudinal, prospective, quantitative, and single-center trial approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the State University of Pará, opinion no. 2.695.505 and registered in clinical trials NCT03829709. Six HTLV-1 patients participated in a 5-week home respiratory muscle training protocol lasting 30 minutes daily through a linear load inspiratory muscle trainer. For the characterization of the imposed load, they were submitted to manovacuometry during pre (T0), peri (T3), and post (T5) treatment. Results: Six individuals completed the program, of which 83.33% were female and 16.66% male. With the application of respiratory muscle training, it was possible to achieve a significant increase (p < 0.011) of the maximum inspiratory pressure as shown when comparing T0 (66.8±12.58) to T5 (115.08±31.78). Conclusion: This study identified an increase in inspiratory muscle strength after HTLV-1 patients participated in a home muscle training protocol under indirect supervision.

Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) results from an increase in intravesical pressure, which exceeds the pressure at which the urethra remains closed. Symptoms cause social and sexual intercourse discomfort directly or indirectly, which affect health-related quality of life and are associated with pelvic floor muscle (PFM) dysfunction. We aimed to verify the variation in strength and PFM bioelectrical activity and sexual function in women with SUI. Additionally, we analyzed the impact of this dysfunction on quality of life. This was an observational cross-sectional study. Women aged 25–55 years with frequent sexual intercourse were included. Women with SUI were included in a study group (G2, n = 17), and those without any type of incontinence were included in a control group (G1, n = 16). Primary outcomes were level of strength and PFM bioelectrical activity and sexual function as determinants of worse SUI in the control group. Secondary outcomes were associated between the primary outcomes and severity of urinary loss, impact on daily life, and quality of life in women with SUI. In the domains evaluated in the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), only sexual desire was lower in women with SUI (G2) than in the controls (p = 0.033). During analysis of G1 variables, a positive and moderate correlation was observed between power/myoeletric activation and maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) (p < 0.01), peak (p < 0.01), and mean amplitudes (p = 0.017). There was a high positive correlation between sexual arousal and other variables, including vaginal lubrication, sexual orgasm, and total FSFI value (p < 0.001 for all analyses). During evaluation of G2 variables, the MVC was positively correlated with the peak and mean amplitudes (p < 0.0001). Additionally, there was a high and positive correlation between the mean amplitudes (%MVC) and personal relationships (KHQ) (p = 0.001); the same was observed between the total (ICIQ) and activities of daily living (ICIQ) (p < 0.0001). Therefore, women with SUI presented with lower sexual desire and bioelectric activity but were not related to PFM strength. Additionally, the domains of sexual function and certain variables of quality of life are aggravated by SUI.

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Pelvic floor musculature assessment methods are generally invasive, subjective, and technologically expensive. Therefore, there is a need to identify other methods that can predict changes in the function of these muscles. This study aimed to verify whether the levels of strength and myoelectric activity of pelvic floor muscles (PFM) can be related to handgrip strength (HGS), to ensure faster and earlier identification of possible dysfunctions of this musculature. Furthermore, we verified whether these variables vary across different age groups. This was a cross-sectional observational study involving 44 healthy women. The women were divided into two groups: the young (18–35 years) and middle-aged (36–55 years) adult groups. Social, anthropometric, and clinical data were collected from the participants, and a functional assessment of their PFM was performed by bidigital palpation, electromyographic biofeedback (sEMG), and HGS (using a dynamometer). The levels of physical and sexual activity were measured using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and Sexual Quotient–Female version (SQ-F) questionnaire. There were no differences in HGS, power/pressure, sEMG, SQ-F score, or IPAQ score between the two groups (p > 0.05). Moderate correlation (r = 0.601; p = 0.019) was observed during multivariate analysis. HGS is related to mean amplitudes (p = 0.123), MVC (p = 0.043), sexual function (p = 0.049), and physical activity (p = 0.004). We therefore conclude that there were no differences between HGS and PFM strength in young adult and middle-aged women. Furthermore, HGS is related to the PFM functionality, sexual function, and physical activity.

Este estudo visa avaliar por eletromiografia de superfície o comportamento dos músculos inspiratórios no treinamento muscular em voluntários com vírus linfotrópico de célula T humana do tipo 1. Trata-se de um ensaio clínico. Sete voluntários, com idade 58,85 ± 7,2) anos, realizaram treinamento muscular inspiratório domiciliar por 4 semanas, 3 vezes por semana, 30 minutos diários por meio de incentivador de carga linear. Para avaliação utilizou-se os dados de pressão inspiratória máxima e os dados da eletromiografia de superfície nas fases pré (T0), segunda semana (T2) e após a quarta semana (T4) de treinamento. Observou-se aumento progressivo da força muscular inspiratória de T0 a T4 (p = 0,007), assim como, aumento do recrutamento das unidades motoras pela análise da amplitude do sinal eletromiográfico, sendo mais evidente para o músculo esternocleidomastóideo (p = 0,12) em comparação ao músculo diafragma (p = 0,6). Verificou-se que no decurso do treinamento muscular ocorreu melhora significativa da força muscular inspiratória com maior recrutamento das fibras musculares dos músculos analisados na amostra.