Respiratory muscle strength, body composition and muscular fitness in musicians — A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background and objective: in this cross-sectional study, we investigated the relationships between respiratory muscle strength, handgrip strength (HGS) and conventional body composition indices such as skeletal muscle mass (SMM), skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) and body mass index (BMI). Material and methods: forty-eight (52 % males) instrumental musicians who had no history of medical or musculoskeletal disease were enrolled. Maximal inspiratory pressure (PImax), and maximal expiratory pressure (PEmax) were evaluated using a spirometer to demonstrate respiratory muscle strength. Upper muscle strength was evaluated by HGS. Skeletal muscle mass was measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis and expressed as a SMM and SMI. The relationships between respiratory muscle strength, HGS and conventional body composition indices were investigated using Pearson’s correlation coefficients and multiple linear regression analysis adjusted by age, weekly instrumental practice, number of years of practice, smoking history, and leisure-time physical activity levels. Results: in males, PImax and PEmax showed positive correlations with HGS (r = 0.426) and (r = 0.589), respectively (p < 0.05). PImax also correlated with SMM (r = 0.740, p < 0.05) and BMI (r = 0.580, p < 0.01). However, the female group had no significant correlations with these conventional muscle mass indices. PImax were related to HGS (β = 0.504, p = 0.024), BMI (β = 0.572, p = 0.007) and SMM (β = 0.831, p < 0,001) among males’ group in multivariable analysis. PEmax was the only independent factor related to HGS (β = 0.676, p < 0.001). Conclusion: this study demonstrates independent associations between handgrip strength, body composition, and respiratory muscle strength in musicians.