How do age and gender affect the respiratory pattern in healthy subjects?

Respiratory system monitoring can help in the early detection of diseases and potential treatment, but its response can be influenced by many factors. In this study, we analyzed the respiratory pattern variability, examining the potential influence of age and gender. Using a pneumotachograph and two inductive plethysmographic bands, a younger (G1, 23 subjects, 21 ± 1 years) and adult (G2, 49 subjects, 52 ± 6 years) datasets were studied. Participants breathed naturally, considering the following stages: spontaneous, nasal, nose and mouth, mouth-only breathing, shallow, and deep breaths. Several parameters were extracted to characterize the respiratory pattern. The sum of bands showed the highest correlation with the volume signal within both groups and also had a significantly higher correlation for all parameters with those obtained from the gold standard volume, compared to either band. Gender differences were more pronounced in adults, particularly during spontaneous breathing, while age-related differences were observed mainly in the expiratory phase. The passive nature of the expiratory phase could be a significant variability factor due to age effects.