Difference in breathing strategies during exercise between trained elderly men and women.
This study compared the ventilatory responses and exercise tidal flow-volume (Vt) loops during exercise in order to analyze the influence of gender on breathing strategy in a fit aging population. Sixteen trained elderly men (63.0+/-2.9 years) and eight peer women (62.3 +/- 5.5 years) performed an incremental test on a cycle ergometer. At 90% maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max), the women presented a significantly higher expiratory flow limitation (EFL) than the men (38 +/- 10 vs 17 +/- 8% of Vt, respectively) (P<0.01) and a lower value of expiratory reserve volume relative to forced vital capacity (FVC) compared with the men (16.8 +/- 5.3% vs 23.0 +/- 5.2%, respectively) (P<0.05). Inspiratory reserve volume relative to FVC was significantly higher in women than men at 50% (P<0.05), 70% (P<0.01) and 90%VO2max (25.2 +/- 5.4% vs 12.2 +/- 4.2%, respectively, at 90%VO2max) (P<0.01). Mechanical ventilatory constraints occurred in trained elderly men and women. However, different breathing strategies were observed relative to gender. A significantly higher EFL was measured in women, whereas men rather presented a dynamic hyperinflation. This specific breathing strategy measured in trained elderly women would induce lower ventilatory efficiency than in peer men.
Deruelle
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Laboratoire d'Etudes de la Motricité Humaine, Faculté des Sciences du Sport et de l'Education Physique, Université de Lille 2, Ronchin, France. fderuelle@hotmail.com
Nourry
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C
Mucci
P
P
Bart
F
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Grosbois
J M
JM
Lensel
G H
GH
Fabre
C
C
D000368:Aged; D015444:Exercise; D005080:Exercise Test; D005105:Expiratory Reserve Volume; D005260:Female; D005602:France; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology; D015656:Respiratory Mechanics / Q000502:physiology*; D014797:Vital Capacity