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Inspiratory muscle weakness is associated to static balance in middle-aged and older women

Background: Prolonged changes in breathing patterns can cause some dysfunction. However, few studies have investigated the relationship between inspiratory muscle strength and postural balance. Aim: This study aims to investigate whether there are associations between static balance and inspiratory muscle strength in middle-aged and older women. Methods: Women aged between 41-80 years-old, residents of the community of Santa Cruz - Brazil, were included in the sample. They were divided into two groups in relation to their ability to perform the one-leg balance test with eyes closed (≤2 seconds; >2 seconds), and they were evaluated in relation to maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) using a digital manometer. Inspiratory muscle weakness was defined as MIP ≤ 80% of the predict value according to predictive equation proposed by Neder (2010). We conducted binary logistic regression models to assess the association between balance and MIP adjusted for covariates (sex, age, body mass index, smoking, physical activity and knee extension strength). Results: 159 women comprised the study sample (mean age= 59.7, SD=11.2). Mean time that women managed to stand on one leg was 5.8 seconds. Approximately 20% of the participants held only ≤ 2 seconds in the balance test. MIP was associated to the time of permanence on a single leg. Having inspiratory muscle weakness (MIP ≤ 80% of the predict value) increases 30% the odds of having poor performance on one-leg balance test (OR= 0.312 p=0.009). Conclusion: MIP is associated to static balance of middle-aged and older women. It is possible that the specific training of the inspiratory musculature is a good therapeutic to improve balance in this population.