Normative Values and Calculation Formulas of Respiratory Muscle Strength of Adults in Turkish Society: A Population-based Study

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to establish normative values for maximum inspiratory pressure and maximal expiratory pressure in the Turkish population while creating specific equations to calculate these values. Material and Methods: The study involved 219 healthy adults, with a minimum of 50 individuals in specific age ranges: 20–29, 30–39, 40–49, and 50–60 years. Each age group comprised at least 25 males and 25 females. Participants were required to be free from health conditions influencing respiratory muscle strength and non-smokers. Measurements of maximum inspiratory pressure and maximal expiratory pressure were recorded for all participants. Results: As a result of the regression analysis performed for the maximum inspiratory pressure values, the model P value was < .001, and the R2 value was found to be 0.261. The equation obtained as a result of the model was: 82.583 − 3.218 × gender − 0.093 × age+9.534 × height+0.343 × weight. As a result of the regression analysis performed for maximal expiratory pressure values, the model P value was <.001, and the R2 value was found to be 0.285. The equation obtained as a result of the model was: 157.165 − 35.522 × gender − 0.271 × age–42.036 × height+0.787 × weight. Conclusions: The newly developed equations offer valuable tools for evaluating respiratory muscle strength in the Turkish population. These results confirm the importance of using maximum inspiratory pressure and maximal expiratory pressure to monitor changes in each patient, while also emphasizing the necessity of reliable reference equations.