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Low-frequency diaphragmatic fatigue in spontaneously breathing humans
1Pulmonary Disease Section, Philadelphia Veterans Administration Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Journal of Applied Physiology (Bethesda, Md. : 1985)
|February 1, 1988
Summary
Low-frequency diaphragmatic fatigue (LFDF) was induced in 50% of healthy young males using a combination of inspiratory resistive loading and treadmill exercise. Transdiaphragmatic peak twitch tension (PTT) measured fatigue.
Area of Science:
- Exercise Physiology
- Respiratory Muscle Function
Background:
- Diaphragmatic fatigue (DF) can impair respiratory function.
- Understanding the induction of low-frequency diaphragmatic fatigue (LFDF) is crucial for respiratory health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if LFDF can be induced in healthy young males.
- To assess the combined effects of inspiratory resistive load (IRL) and graded treadmill exercise (GXT) on diaphragmatic function.
Main Methods:
- Ten healthy young males performed GXT with an IRL (38 cmH2O.L-1.s-1).
- Transdiaphragmatic peak twitch tension (PTT) was measured via phrenic nerve stimulation before and after exercise.
- LFDF was determined by a drop in PTT below 95% confidence limits.
Main Results:
- LFDF, indicated by a significant decrease in PTT, was observed in 5 out of 10 subjects (50%).
- The remaining 5 subjects did not exhibit significant PTT reduction, remaining within their pre-exercise confidence limits.
- This suggests variability in susceptibility to exercise-induced diaphragmatic fatigue.
Conclusions:
- LFDF can be induced in approximately 50% of healthy young males through combined IRL and GXT.
- PTT is a reliable measure for assessing LFDF in this context.
- Further research may explore factors influencing individual susceptibility to diaphragmatic fatigue.