title: Effects of Valsalva and Mueller maneuvers on breath-holding time.
abstract: Breath holding to the breaking point was studied at FRC in six healthy subjects in the sitting position. Breath-holding time increased with successive trials within experimental sessions in all subjects. To study the influence of Valsalva and Mueller maneuvers on breath-holding performance, sustained inspiratory or expiratory effort against an occluded mouthpiece was initiated 5 s before the anticipated breaking point, determined in previous trials. The subject tried to maintain a target mouth pressure of +20 or -20 cmH2O, displayed on an oscilloscope, for the remainder of the breath hold. Both types of maneuver consistently prolonged breath-holding time in all subjects. However, a control maneuver, in which the subjects squeezed rubber bulbs with their hands, was equally effective in prolonging breath-holding time. The results demonstrate the important influence of psychological factors on breath-holding performance and emphasize the need for caution in the interpretation of effects of "relieving maneuvers" on breath-holding time.
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000328:Adult; D001237:Asphyxia; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011312:Pressure; D012119:Respiration; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012143:Respiratory Physiological Phenomena; D013997:Time Factors; D014636:Valsalva Maneuver