Abstract
Background: Individuals with COPD demonstrate balance impairments. A reduced mediolateral balance control has been reported following arm exercise suggesting that a higher demand in breathing may compromise the ability of the trunk and respiratory muscles to contribute to posture and balance. How inspiratory muscle loading, which increases inspiratory muscle activity, affects balance control in COPD is unknown.
Methods: Ten individuals with COPD and seven healthy controls performed 16, 30-second randomized postural challenges consisting of four stances: 1) feet together, 2) single leg, 3) on foam, and 4) tandem; with each position repeated four times (eyes open/closed and breathing with/without an inspiratory load). Postural sway (APDM wireless motion capture) and regional chest wall volumes (Optoelectronic Plethysmography) were measured.
Results: Inspiratory loading increased chest wall tidal volumes in both groups. Loading increased the volume of the pulmonary (Vrcp) and abdominal rib cage (Vrca) compartments in COPD participants and additionally the abdomen (Vab) in the controls. The percentage contribution of Vrcp and Vrca increased, whereas Vab% decreased, in COPD participants. Single leg stance showed the largest sway, feet together the lowest, and eyes closed decreased balance in both groups. Inspiratory load had no effect on sway parameters in healthy controls while coronal sway (RMS of angles and accelerations) was increased in individuals with COPD.
Conclusion: Inspiratory muscle loading increases the tidal contribution of the upper chest wall muscles relative to the diaphragm resulting in mediolateral balance instability in individuals with COPD.
Footnotes
Cite this article as: European Respiratory Journal 2020; 56: Suppl. 64, 93.
This abstract was presented at the 2020 ERS International Congress, in session “Respiratory viruses in the "pre COVID-19" era”.
This is an ERS International Congress abstract. No full-text version is available. Further material to accompany this abstract may be available at www.ers-education.org (ERS member access only).
- Copyright ©the authors 2020