Features of electrical activity of inspiratory muscles in different age groups

Aim. To identify features of changes in electrical activity of inspiratory muscles and their relationship with anthropometric indicators in different age groups.

Materials and methods. There were examined 57 men with the same strength of respiratory muscles, aged 20 to 65 years old, who were divided into 3 groups. The 1st group included 26 young people, the 2nd group consisted of 20 middle-aged people, the 3rd group had 11 elderly patients. The examination included determination of anthropometric indicators, assessment of motor activity, inspiratory muscle strength, analysis of the electrical activity of inspiratory muscles when performing functional tests.

Results. In young people compared with patients of groups 2 and 3, a significant difference in anthropometric indicators was revealed. In patients of group 1, the dynamics of electromyography (EMG) indices of inspiratory muscles was the greatest when performing functional tests. There was revealed correlation between age and dynamics of the EMG amplitude indicators of external intercostal muscles (r=0.48, p<0.05), sternocleidomastoid muscles (r=-0.41, p<0.05) and diaphragm (r=-0.63, p<0.05); dynamics of EMG amplitude indicators of diaphragm and circumference of the chest on the inspiration (r=-0.77, p<0.05) and expiration (r=-0.73, p<0.05), dynamics of EMG amplitude indicators of sternocleidomastoid muscles and circumference of chest on inspiration (r=-0.61, p<0.05) and expiration (r=-0.59, p<0.05).

Conclusion. There is a negative relationship between dynamics of EMG amplitude indicators of inspiratory muscles when performing functional tests with age and chest circumference on inspiration and expiration. The main feature of electrical activity of inspiratory muscles in young people when performing functional tests is revealed in active participation of auxiliary muscles, in particular, the sternocleidomastoid muscle. In middle-aged and elderly people, dynamics of indicators of electrical activity of inspiratory muscles during performance of functional tests was the same.

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