Correlation between skeletal muscle mass index and parameters of respiratory function and muscle strength in young healthy adults according to gender

[Purpose] The purpose was to determine the correlation between the skeletal muscle mass index and parameters of respiratory function and muscle strength in young healthy adults as predictors of sarcopenia in association with aging and respiratory diseases. [Participants and Methods] Participants were 41 males and 37 females with a mean age of 19.5 ± 1.5 years. The following were measured: body composition (skeletal muscle mass index), respiratory function (vital capacity, inspiratory reserve volume, expiratory reserve volume, inspiratory capacity, forced vital capacity, one-second forced expiratory volume, peak expiratory flow rate), and respiratory muscle strength (maximum inspiratory pressure, maximum expiratory pressure). Correlations between the skeletal muscle mass index and parameters of respiratory function and respiratory muscle strength were assessed using Pearson’s coefficient. [Results] The total skeletal muscle mass index showed a positive correlation with all items. The male skeletal muscle mass index showed a positive correlation with respiratory function excluding inspiratory reserve volume, expiratory reserve volume, maximum inspiratory pressure, and maximum expiratory pressure. The female skeletal muscle mass index showed a positive correlation with all respiratory functions including inspiratory reserve volume and expiratory reserve volume, but was not associated with respiratory muscle strength. [Conclusion] The skeletal muscle mass index showed a positive correlation with respiratory function and respiratory muscle strength. Gender-based features were correlated with respiratory muscle strength in males and lung capacity in females.