View article

Parasternal intercostal muscle electromyography (EMGpara) has been used as an index of respiratory load in health and disease. While reference values are available, such data have been obtained with subjects in the seated position only. The objective of the current study was to determine the influence of posture on measurements of EMGpara. Fifty-one healthy adult participants underwent measurement of EMGpara, respiratory flow and volume in the seated, reclined at 45, and supine positions. Resting peak EMGpara activity per breath was determined and expressed both as the raw signal and normalised to that obtained during a maximum inspiratory effort (EMGpara% max). Neural respiratory drive index (NRDI, the product of EMGpara% max and respiratory rate) and neuroventilatory efficiency (NVE, tidal volume divided by EMGpara) were also calculated. No significant …