Sex-specific MIP/MEP cut-offs for screening sarcopenia in older women
In 88 older women, respiratory muscle strength (MIP, MEP) correlated weakly with hand grip strength and muscle mass index; proposed cut-offs of 28.50 cmH2O (MIP) and 49.50 cmH2O (MEP) showed acceptable diagnostic performance for identifying sarcopenia. [1]
Automatic summary · not editorially reviewed
The key findings
The study aimed to establish sex-specific cut-off values for maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressure in elderly women to improve sarcopenia screening. [1]
In 88 older women, MIP and MEP correlated weakly with hand grip strength and skeletal muscle mass index. [1]
ROC-derived cut-offs were 28.50 cmH2O for MIP and 49.50 cmH2O for MEP, described as acceptable diagnostic performance. [1]
The source at a glance
- Study type / format
- Abstract of a cross-sectional diagnostic cut-off study (registered trial KCT0009413).
- Population / context
- Eighty-eight older women.
- Summary based on
- Study abstract
- Original publication
- September 21, 2026
Cut-offs proposed for older women's respiratory strength
The abstract describes a study aiming to establish sex-specific cut-off values for maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP, the force of breathing in) and maximal expiratory pressure (MEP, the force of breathing out) in elderly women. The stated goal was to improve screening for sarcopenia (loss of muscle strength and mass) and to explore implications for respiratory sarcopenia. The authors note that physiological differences in muscle strength and mass between the sexes motivated sex-specific values.
Supporting source [1]
Weak correlations and ROC-derived thresholds in 88 women
Eighty-eight older women were assessed for MIP, MEP, hand grip strength (HGS) and skeletal muscle mass index (SMI). Sarcopenia was diagnosed using the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia consensus criteria. MIP and MEP correlated significantly but weakly with HGS (r = 0.318 and 0.323) and SMI (r = 0.291 and 0.255). The cut-off values derived from receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis were 28.50 cmH2O for MIP (area under the curve 0.81, 95% confidence interval 0.70–0.93) and 49.50 cmH2O for MEP (area under the curve 0.78, 95% confidence interval 0.64–0.92). The authors describe this as acceptable diagnostic performance with a favorable balance of sensitivity and specificity compared with traditional reference thresholds.
Supporting source [1]
Screening potential and limits of this abstract
The authors conclude that MIP and MEP may serve as accessible, complementary indicators supporting sarcopenia screening and offering implications for respiratory sarcopenia in elderly women. They suggest that sex- and age-specific cut-off values could enhance diagnostic precision and facilitate early intervention strategies for respiratory muscle decline in aging populations. These are proposed screening implications, not evidence that respiratory strength training or any intervention prevents or treats sarcopenia. The abstract reports no follow-up, no intervention and no causal testing; the correlations are associations only.
Supporting source [1]
How to interpret this
Abstract only; the full text was not reviewed. The abstract reports a single sample of 88 older women, no follow-up and no intervention. Correlations are associations, not causal evidence, and the cut-offs are proposed screening values rather than validated clinical thresholds.
Based on the study abstract; the full paper, tables and supplementary data were not reviewed.
Source & supporting passages
Park TS, Jeon Y, Park SE, Kim KH, Lee JH, Jang M, Kim SH, Lee BJ, Yoon JA, Shin YB, Shin MJ. · europepmc.org · September 21, 2026