Electromyographic Activity of the Respiratory Muscles in Health Adults and Asthmatic

The obstruction to the airflow present in asthmatic generates lung hyperinflation, causing changes in respiratory function, which may alter the activity of the respiratory muscles. Thus, the aim of this study was to compare the electromyographic activity of the respiratory muscles between adults and asthmatic subjects. In a cross-sectional and analytical study, twenty adults were divided into two groups: healthy (GH) and asthmatic (GA). The GA had mild and controlled asthma. The volunteers underwent clinical, anthropometrical, spirometry, of the inspiratory muscle strength evaluation and the electromyographic signal was captured by surface electromyography. The electromyographic activity was recorded during baseline, deep breathing and in the maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) maneuver, of the sternocleidomastoid (SCM), intercostal (IC) and diaphragm were assessed. The muscle activation was higher during the MIP compared to the electromyographic activity recorded at baseline and deep breathing, both for healthy and asthmatic ( P P >0,005). The MIP maneuver, the SCM and diaphragm electromyographic activity was lower in the asthmatic group than in the control group ( P