Respiratory Muscle Function, Diaphragm Thickness and Health Related Physical Fitness Parameters in Individuals

Maximal Inspiratory Pressure will be measured with an intraoral pressure measuring device. Maximal Inspiratory Pressure reflects respiratory muscle strength. An increase in Maximal Inspiratory Pressure indicates high respiratory muscle strength; A low Maximal Inspiratory Pressure value indicates respiratory muscle weakness.

Respiratory muscle endurance will be measured with an incremental threshold load respiratory muscle endurance test. The respiratory muscle endurance test will be performed using a respiratory muscle training device. Endurance test is performed by breathing rapidly and deeply against the respiratory muscle training device of the individual. The individual should continue the test as long as possible. A high respiratory muscle endurance score indicates good respiratory muscle function; A low score indicates respiratory muscle dysfunction.

Pulmonary function test will be performed with a spirometer according to the criteria of the American Thoracic Society and the European Respiratory Society. While the decrease in pulmonary function test parameters shows worsening of lung functions; parameters in the normal range indicate good lung functions.

The six minute walk test will be used to evaluate functional exercise capacity. The individual will be asked to walk as fast as possible throughout the test. High walking distance indicates good exercise capacity; A low walking distance indicates a decrease in exercise capacity.

The lean body mass percentage of the individual will be determined by Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis. The measurement will be made by the individual standing on the device with bare feet and waiting. If the lean body mass percentage values are in the normal range, the body composition is normal; lean body mass percentage low values indicate deterioration of body composition.

Physical activity level will be assessed with the short form of the International Physical Activity Assessment Questionnaire. The short form of the International Physical Activity Assessment Questionnaire consists of seven questions. A high questionnaire score indicates a high level of physical activity; A low score indicates physical inactivity.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Assessment Test is an eight-item scale measuring health status in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. This scale is used to determine the health status of individuals with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease all over the world. Each question is scored between 0-5 and a total score between 0 and 40 is given. A score of 0 represents the best and a score of 40 represents the worst state of health.

It is a 5-item scale scored between 0-4 for individuals' shortness of breath. Evaluates dyspnea and activity limitation in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. An increase in the score indicates an increase in shortness of breath.

In this scale, in which the perception of shortness of breath at rest and during exercise will be evaluated, scoring varies between 0-10 points, although high scores indicate high breathlessness and fatigue.

Lateral flexion flexibility is measured with the trunk lateral flexion test. While standing, the arms are held in an upright position with the feet parallel to the body and feet shoulder-width apart. First of all, the distance between the point where the right 3rd finger tip is located and the point where the finger tip is located after right lateral flexion is checked. The distance between the start point and the end point is recorded. The test is repeated three times and the best measurement is recorded as the result. A high distance indicates good trunk flexibility; The low distance indicates that the trunk flexibility is insufficient.

In the back scratch test, the palmar side of the upper hand and the back of the lower hand should be placed on the back and the distance of the third fingers to each other should be recorded. The test is repeated three times and the best result is considered the test result. If the distance is too much, it shows that the flexibility is bad; A low distance indicates good flexibility.

In the sit-reach test, individuals are seated on a flat surface and the individual's feet are made to rest flat on the test bench. Then, the individual is asked to reach forward as much as possible. The test result is obtained by measuring the distance between the tip of the third finger and the foot. During the test, the individual is expected to wait 2-3 seconds at the last point and the test is repeated 3 times to record the best result. A high distance indicates good flexibility; If the distance is low, it indicates that the flexibility is bad.

A 30 second modified push up test will be used to evaluate the upper body muscle strength and endurance of individuals. The individual, whose hands and knees are in contact with the floor, and whose knees and elbows are flexed on the mat, is asked to push his body backwards by extending his elbows without disturbing the flexion of the knees. The number of correct movements in 30 seconds will be recorded as the test result. A high number indicates good upper extremity muscle strength and endurance; A low number indicates poor upper extremity muscle strength and endurance.

The 30-second sit-up test will be used to evaluate the strength and endurance of the abdominal muscles of the individuals. Individuals are asked to lock their hands on the nape in supine, hip and knee flexion, with the plantar face of the foot on the ground (hooked position), and starting from this position, individuals are asked to flex their trunk as much as possible until the scapula is out of contact with the ground. The number of trunk flexions for 30 seconds is recorded. A high number indicates good trunk muscle strength and endurance; A low number indicates poor trunk muscle strength and endurance.

Sit and stand test can be performed to evaluate lower extremity muscle strength and endurance. Individuals are asked to cross their arms over their shoulders and sit and stand up for 30 seconds, and the number of sitting and standing is recorded. A high number indicates good lower extremity muscle strength and endurance; A low number indicates poor lower extremity muscle strength and endurance.

Hand grip dynamometer is used to measure hand grip strength. Measurements are made three times on the left and right sides of the individual in a sitting position, shoulder adduction, elbow 90° flexion, and forearm neutral position. A high value indicates that the hand grip strength is good; A low value indicates a low hand grip strength.