Inspiratory Muscle Performance and Anthropometric Measures—Novel Assessments Related to Pulmonary Function in People with Spinal Cord Injury: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the feasibility and validity of using the novel axillary:umbilical (A:U) ratio and sustained maximal inspiratory pressure (SMIP) as supplementary measures in the assessment of respiratory function in people with spinal cord injury. Design: Pilot study with a single day of data collection. All measurements were taken with participants in their personal wheelchairs to best represent normal functioning and positioning for each individual. Setting: Research institution. Participants: A convenience sample of 30 community dwelling volunteers with chronic spinal cord injury (C2-T12, American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale A-D) participated. Interventions: Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures: Participants underwent anthropometric measurements (trunk height, abdominal circumference, axillary circumference) and assessment of inspiratory muscle performance, incluidng maximal inspiratory pressure, SMIP, and inspiratory duration, as well as standard pulmonary function tests. Results: The A:U ratio and SMIP were recorded for all participants. The SMIP was significantly related to more respiratory performance measures than the maximal inspiratory pressure (P