Breathing pattern and lung volumes during exercise

Acta Physiol Scand. 1984 Jan;120(1):123-9. doi: 10.1111/j.1748-1716.1984.tb07381.x.

Abstract

The interrelationships of ventilation (V), tidal volume (VT), inspiratory (T1), expiratory (TE) and total breath (Ttot) durations, mean inspiratory (VT/TI) and expiratory (VT/TE) flows, and lung volumes were studied in normal subjects at rest and during exercise on a cycle ergometer. The ergometric load was increased by 10 W every minute, from zero W to 200 W. The TI/Ttot ratio increased with V in the range 15 to 60 1 X min-1, indicating that with increasing V the rate of increase of VT/TI decreased whereas that of VT/TE increased. Possible mechanisms responsible for the difference in behaviour of VT/TI and VT/TE are discussed. The VT-TI and VT-TE relationships both displayed three ranges with breakpoints at tidal volumes of about 1.4 and 2.4 1. The relations of TI and TE to end-inspiratory volume were approximately linear over the entire VT range studied, whereas the relations of TI and TE to end-expiratory volume showed three ranges with different characteristics. We conclude that the termination of inspiration during cycle exercise is dependent on volume-related afferent feedback from the lungs and/or chest walls, not only in the high but also in the low volume range.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Humans
  • Lung Volume Measurements*
  • Male
  • Oxygen Consumption
  • Physical Exertion*
  • Respiration*
  • Tidal Volume
  • Vital Capacity