Abstract
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between Peak Expiratory Flow and appendicular skeletal muscle mass as well as trunk lean mass using a comprehensive spirometry assessment. It also aimed to assess the relationship between appendicular skeletal mass and trunk lean mass using Dual X-ray absorptiometry values. METHODS: An existing data set was reanalyzed for appendicular skeletal muscle mass and trunk lean mass in relation to respiratory function. A total of 44 healthy males and 66 females (18-65) were included in final data analysis. A Pearson correlation coefficient was used to determine the relationship between expiratory flow (PEF) and appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM) as well as trunk lean mass (TLM). A Pearson correlation coefficient was also determined between PEF and age, race, and height. Additionally, a multiple regression analysis was then conducted to determine the variance explained by PEF on ASM and TLM using age, height, moderate physical activity and race as additional independent variables. Although these variables were included in the regression model, they were not of interest in the context of this analysis. All data analysis was conducted using SPSS (IBM SPSS Version 24) with statistical significance set at p<0.05. RESULTS: In males, this study found significant correlations between TLM and height (r = .525, p < .001) as well as TLM and ASM (r = .609, p < .001). In addition, a significant correlation was found between TLM and moderate physical activity (r = .301, p < .05). In females, strong correlations were found for height (r = .658, p < 0.001), PEF (r = .364, p < .001), and ASM on TLM (r = .710, p = < .001). CONCLUSION: This study found a weak positive correlation between trunk lean mass and peak expiratory flow values in females, as well as correlations between ASM and peak expiratory flow values in both genders. This study is the first to establish a significant relationship between pulmonary function and ASM and the first to assess trunk lean mass in relation to peak expiratory flow. The present study used a healthy population from ages 18-65. More studies are needed to replicate our findings with older individuals in order to further support the use of PEF as a possible indicator or pre-sarcopenia.