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Parasternal intercostal muscle activity during methacholine‐induced bronchoconstriction

What is the central question of this study? The parasternal intercostal electromyogram (EMGpara) is known to provide an accurate, non‐invasive index of respiratory load–capacity balance. Although relationships between EMGpara and both airflow obstruction and hyperinflation have been shown, the independent contribution of each factor has not been examined. What is the main finding and its importance? Reductions in airway calibre and inspiratory capacity along with increases in EMGpara were induced via methacholine challenge. A strong inverse relationship was observed between EMGpara and airway obstruction, with no influence of inspiratory capacity. These data suggest that EMGpara is more strongly influenced by airway calibre than by changes in end‐expiratory lung volume during airway challenge testing.