PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Samantha Orrey AU - Marianne Unger AU - Susan Hanekom TI - Correlation between diaphragm strength, endurance and muscular cross-sectional area DP - 2014 Sep 01 TA - European Respiratory Journal PG - P4897 VI - 44 IP - Suppl 58 4099 - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/44/Suppl_58/P4897.short 4100 - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/44/Suppl_58/P4897.full SO - Eur Respir J2014 Sep 01; 44 AB - Sonographic measurements of diaphragmatic muscular cross-sectional area (thickness) may be suitable for interpreting diaphragm function in a ventilated population. Uncertainty exists regarding the relationship between diaphragm thickness, strength and endurance. The aim of this study was to determine the correlation between these variablesin a healthy population. Method:Descriptive correlational study; sample of convenience: university students; three activity-levels (sedentary; endurance- and strength related sporting activities); stratified for gender and body mass index (BMI). Sonographic measurement of thickness; mouth pressure manometer for strength; fatigue resistance index as endurance measure. Intra-rater reliability established and testing procedures standardized a priori. Results: 55 subjects recruited; Mean BMI 25.43±3.70View this table:Diaphragm measurementsModerate correlations established between diaphragm thickness and strength (r=0.52; r2=0.27; p<0.001); and thickness and BMI (r=0.57; r2=0.33; p<0.001). Weak correlation established between strength and BMI (r=0.37; r2=0.14; p=0.01). Endurance was not correlated to thickness (r=-0.15; r2=0.02; p=0.29), or strength (r=-0.19; r2=0.04; p=0.16). Conclusion: The results indicate that in a volunteer university student population diaphragm thickness is moderately correlated to strength but not to endurance. BMI is a potential confounder when investigating the relationship between strength and thickness. Further studies are needed to confirm these results in a wider population.