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Breathing patterns during progressive incremental cycle and treadmill exercise are different
1Institute of Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.
Clinical Physiology and Functional Imaging
|May 21, 2009
Summary
Breathing patterns differ between cycling and running. Tidal volume (V(T)) increases more steeply with minute ventilation (V(E)) during cycling, impacting perceived breathlessness.
Area of Science:
- Exercise Physiology
- Respiratory Physiology
Background:
- Perceived breathlessness is higher during cycling than running at similar minute ventilation (V(E)).
- This difference may stem from varied upper extremity and chest wall engagement, influencing breathing patterns.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if the relationship between tidal volume (V(T)) and V(E) differs between cycling and running during incremental exercise.
- To compare breathing strategies across different exercise modalities.
Main Methods:
- Twelve healthy, young, well-trained subjects performed incremental maximal exercise tests on a treadmill and cycle ergometer.
- Minute ventilation (V(E)), tidal volume (V(T)), heart rate, and respiratory gases were measured using a computerized system.
- The V(E)-V(T) relationship was analyzed using V(T) at maximum, V(T) at 30 L/min V(E) (V(T30)), Hey plot, and quadratic regression.
Main Results:
- The increase in V(T) relative to V(E) was steeper during cycling compared to running.
- Tidal volume at 30 L/min V(E) (V(T30)) was significantly higher during cycling.
- Maximum tidal volume (V(Tmax)) was similar between modes but achieved at a lower V(E) during cycling.
Conclusions:
- Breathing strategies significantly differ between running and cycling in young, well-trained individuals.
- Exercise mode is a critical factor to consider in normative studies of breathing patterns and breathlessness.
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