Different patterns of respiratory reflexes originating in exercising muscle

In anesthetized rabbits, rhythmic contractions of the gastrocnemius muscle elicited by stimulating the gastrocnemius nerves (40 trains/min of 0.5-ms rectangular pulses at 2.0-2.5 mult of motor threshold), increased pulmonary ventilation by increasing frequency (f). Expiratory duration (TE) was greatly reduced, while inspiratory time (TI) was much less changed. Mean expiratory flow (VT/TE) was increased consistently more than mean inspiratory flow (VT/TI). Arterial pressure (Pa) and heart rate (HR) were decreased. During tetanic contractions (100 Hz, 2.0-2.5 X T) tidal volume (VT) increased considerably more and f considerably less than during rhythmic exercise, TE was shortened, and TI was only slightly affected. Pa and HR, after a transitory reduction, increased over the resting levels. Similar responses were also obtained in deafferented rabbits with carotid sinus, aortic, and cervical vagus nerves cut. These two patterns of cardiorespiratory changes were initiated by activation of muscle receptors verified by interrupting the afferents from the contracting muscles. It is concluded that, in the anesthetized rabbit, two different muscular reflex mechanisms are involved in controlling the pattern of breathing and ventilation during muscular exercise. One mechanism, predominantly activated during dynamic exercise, decreases TE and increases f, the other mechanism, mainly activated during static exercise, increases the inspiratory drive, thus increasing the depth of breathing.