Breath-by-breath parasternal intercostal muscle stiffening tracks inspiratory effort during graded inspiratory threshold loading in humans
Abstract
Using ultrasound shear wave elastography, we tracked parasternal intercostal muscle stiffness breath-by-breath during quiet breathing and graded inspiratory threshold loading. Changes in parasternal intercostal muscle stiffness increased progressively with load and were closely associated with indices of inspiratory effort from pressure recordings and diaphragm electrical activity. Stiffness measurements identified breaths with elevated inspiratory effort and may serve as a practical, noninvasive mechanical readout of global inspiratory effort, with potential relevance for respiratory disease assessment and assisted-ventilation monitoring.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Neuroscience of respiration and sleep
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Research
Respiratory Support and Mechanisms
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Journal of Applied Physiology
- Publisher
- American Physiological Society
- Volume
- 140
- Issue
- 6
- Pages
- 1671–1683
- Publication date
- 11 May 2026
- Language
- EN