LifestyleExercise

Probable respiratory sarcopenia is independently associated with reduced exercise capacity in elderly smokers

In a COPD-enriched smoking cohort, probable respiratory sarcopenia (defined as respiratory muscle weakness plus low muscle mass) was identified in 12% of participants. This group showed significantly impaired physical performance, including reduced gait speed, 6-minute walking distance (6MWD), and knee extension strength, with probable respiratory sarcopenia independently associated with lower 6MWD (β = -0.24; p = 0.02) after adjusting for confounders.

Last updated: Jul 16, 2026•0 RCTs•📖 Read as article →

Evidence Score

Evidence Score34/100
Human RCT☆☆☆☆☆
Meta-analysis☆☆☆☆☆
Mechanism★★★★★
Safety★★★★☆
Confidencelow

Study Evidence

Study 1. Prevalence and functional impact of respiratory sarcopenia in a COPD-enriched smoking cohort.

observational

Yoshioka Y, Tanabe N, Oshima Y, Hamada R, Sato S, Maetani T, Shiraishi Y, Sato A, Ikeguchi R, Hirai T · Respiratory investigation (2026)

Participants: N/A
Duration: N/A (cross-sectional)
Intervention: Observational assessment of respiratory sarcopenia status (normal, muscle mass loss only, respiratory muscle weakness only, probable respiratory sarcopenia)
Outcome: 6-minute walking distance (6MWD), gait speed, knee extension strength, pulmonary function (%FEV1, RV/TLC)
Effect Size: β = -0.24 (standardized coefficient for probable respiratory sarcopenia on 6MWD)
Population: 184 elderly smokers (79% with COPD), mean age not specified but described as elderly

Result:

PubMed: 42447588DOI: 10.1016/j.resinv.2026.101483

Mechanism Graph

Respiratory muscle weakness reduces ventilatory capacity
↓
Low respiratory muscle mass indicates structural muscle loss
↓
Combined deficits impair oxygen delivery and physical endurance
↓
Result: Reduced exercise capacity (6MWD)

Limitations

  • ⚠Cross-sectional design prevents causal inference
  • ⚠Single-center study with small sample size for the probable respiratory sarcopenia group (n=22)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is respiratory sarcopenia?▼

Respiratory sarcopenia is a novel concept defined as the combination of respiratory muscle weakness (low maximal inspiratory or expiratory pressure) and decreased respiratory muscle mass (low skeletal muscle index).

How common is respiratory sarcopenia in smokers?▼

In this study of elderly smokers (79% with COPD), probable respiratory sarcopenia was found in 12% of participants.

Does respiratory sarcopenia affect exercise capacity?▼

Yes, probable respiratory sarcopenia was independently associated with lower 6-minute walking distance after adjusting for age, sex, BMI, smoking history, and lung function.

What measurements define respiratory sarcopenia?▼

It requires both respiratory muscle weakness (% maximal inspiratory pressure and/or % maximal expiratory pressure <80%) and low skeletal muscle index (<7.0 kg/m² for men, <5.7 kg/m² for women).

Products

Affiliate links coming soon. We only recommend products that match the doses and forms used in the cited research.

References

  1. 1.Yoshioka Y, Tanabe N, Oshima Y, Hamada R, Sato S, Maetani T, Shiraishi Y, Sato A, Ikeguchi R, Hirai T. "Prevalence and functional impact of respiratory sarcopenia in a COPD-enriched smoking cohort.." Respiratory investigation, 2026. PMID: 42447588 DOI: 10.1016/j.resinv.2026.101483
Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Evidence scores reflect the quality and quantity of available research, not clinical recommendations. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement or intervention.