Comparison of three protocols for measuring the maximal respiratory pressures

Abstract

Introduction To avoid the selection of submaximal efforts during the assessment of maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressures (MIP and MEP), some reproducibility criteria have been suggested. Criteria that stand out are those proposed by the American Thoracic Society (ATS) and European Respiratory Society (ERS) and by the Brazilian Thoracic Association (BTA). However, no studies were found that compared these criteria or assessed the combination of both protocols. Objectives To assess the pressure values selected and the number of maneuvers required to achieve maximum performance using the reproducibility criteria proposed by the ATS/ERS, the BTA and the present study. Materials and method 113 healthy subjects (43.04 ± 16.94 years) from both genders were assessed according to the criteria proposed by the ATS/ERS, BTA and the present study. Descriptive statistics were used for analysis, followed by ANOVA for repeated measures and post hoc LSD or by Friedman test and post hoc Wilcoxon, according to the data distribution. Results The criterion proposed by the present study resulted in a significantly higher number of maneuvers (MIP and MEP – median and 25%-75% interquartile range: 5[5-6], 4[3-5] and 3[3-4] for the present study criterion, BTA and ATS/ERS, respectively; p < 0.01) and higher pressure values (MIP – mean and 95% confidence interval: 103[91.43-103.72], 100[97.19-108.83] and 97.6[94.06-105.95]; MEP: median and 25%-75% interquartile range: 124.2[101.4-165.9], 123.3[95.4-153.8] and 118.4[95.5-152.7]; p < 0.05). Conclusion The proposed criterion resulted in the selection of pressure values closer to the individual’s maximal capacity. This new criterion should be considered in future studies concerning MIP and MEP measurements.

Relationship Between Respiratory Muscle Strength and Conventional Sarcopenic Indices in Young Adults: A Preliminary Study

“…Respiratory muscle strength was assessed by measuring PEF, MIP, and MEP using a spirometer (COSMED, Rome, Italy) that was widely used in clinical studies [ 26 27 ]. Spirometry was carried out in the sitting position while the participant wore a nose clip.…”

Effect of high-intensity home-based respiratory muscle training on strength of respiratory muscles following a stroke: a protocol for a randomized controlled trial

“…The primary outcome to be measured is strength of the inspiratory muscles (i.e., maximal inspiratory pressure generated during maximum resistance of inspiration, measured using a digital manovacuometer 17 ), and reported as pressure (cmH 2 O), following the recommended guidelines for the use of the manovacuometer. 18 …”

Effects of high-intensity respiratory muscle training on respiratory muscle strength in individuals with Parkinson’s disease: Protocol of a randomized clinical trial

“…The primary outcomes to be measured are inspiratory and expiratory muscle strength. Maximum inspiratory and expiratory pressures (MIP and MEP, respectively) will be measured using a digital manovacuometer (LEB-LabCare/UFMG, Brazil) [32,33]. To measure the MIP, individuals will be instructed to perform inspiratory maneuvers from residual volume to total lung capacity [34].…”