The Relationship Between Body Composition, Lung Function, and Quadriceps Muscle Activity in Young Adult Men

Objective: This study investigated the correlation between body composition, lung function, and quadriceps femoris muscle activity in young adult men and assessed the influence of body composition on lung function and muscle activity. Design: Cross-sectional correlational study. Methods: Sixty-two young adult men participated in this study. Lung function was assessed using maximum voluntary ventilation (MVV) and peak expiratory flow (PEF). Quadriceps femoris muscle activity was evaluated in the vastus medialis (VM), vastus lateralis (VL), and rectus femoris (RF) muscles. Body composition variables were analyzed using bioelectrical impedance analysis. Pearson’s correlation analysis evaluated relationships among the variables, and multiple regression analysis determined the impact of body composition on lung function and quadriceps femoris muscle activity. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: MVV and PEF showed significant positive correlations with body composition variables, except for body fat percentage (p < 0.05). Similarly, the VM and VL exhibited significant positive correlations with body composition variables, excluding body mass index (BMI) and body fat percentage (p <0.05). However, no significant correlation was observed between lung function and quadriceps femoris muscle activity (p > 0.05). Furthermore, mineral mass significantly influenced lung function, whereas muscle mass and protein mass significantly influenced VM and VL muscle activity, respectively (p < 0.05). Conclusions: These findings highlight the importance of managing body composition in young adult men, considering its influence on lung function and quadriceps femoris muscle activity.