BACKGROUND AND AIM: This study aimed to investigate the effects of inspiratory muscle training (IMT) on sarcopenic individuals, specifically on their inspiratory muscle strength, diaphragm muscle thickness, and exercise capacity.


METHODS: Our study included 20 subjects with sarcopenia (16 males, 4 females). The participants were randomly assigned to a training group (TG) (mean age: 72.80±3.01) or a control group (CG) (mean age: 71.5±2.22). To assess the effectiveness of the eight-week IMT, we measured the maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP), diaphragm thickness, pulmonary function test (PFT), and the six-minute walk test (6MWT) before and after the training. Quality of life was evaluated using the Sarcopenia Quality of Life Questionnaire (SarQoL).


RESULTS: Both the MIP and the 6MWT of the TG increased significantly after the IMT program (p=0.001 and p=0.001, respectively). The TG’s overall SarQoL score and scores for physical and mental health, functionality, fears, and leisure activities demonstrated significant improvements (p=0.007, p=0.014, p=0.042, p=0.004, and p=0.004, respectively). There was no statistically significant change in diaphragm thickness, PFT parameters (including forced expiratory capacity [FEC], forced expiratory volume in one second [FEV1], peak expiratory flow [PEF], forced expiratory volume in one second/forced vital capacity [FEV1/FVC], and forced expiratory flow between 25−75% of vital capacity [FEF25−75]), or other subscales of the SarQoL (p>0.05).


CONCLUSIONS: The IMT program improved inspiratory muscle strength, exercise capacity, and overall quality of life in individuals with sarcopenia. We recommend that rehabilitation programs for sarcopenic individuals include IMT.