title: Effects of dead space loading on neuro-muscular and neuro-ventilatory coupling of the respiratory system during exercise in healthy adults: implications for dyspnea and exercise tolerance.
abstract: We examined the effects of dead space loading (DSL) on ventilation (V˙E), neural respiratory drive (EMGdi%max, diaphragm EMG expressed as a % of maximal EMGdi), contractile respiratory muscle effort (Pes,tidal%P(Imax), tidal esophageal pressure swing expressed as a % of maximal inspiratory Pes) and exertional dyspnea intensity ratings in 11 healthy adults with normal spirometry. Subjects completed, in random order, symptom-limited incremental cycle exercise tests under control (CTRL) and DSL (500 ml) conditions. Compared with CTRL, DSL decreased exercise tolerance by 20-25%; increased exertional dyspnea intensity ratings in direct proportion to concurrent increases in EMGdi%max, Pes,tidal%P(Imax) and V˙E; and had little/no effect on the inter-relationships between EMGdi%max, Pes,tidal%P(Imax) and V˙E during exercise. In conclusion, DSL was associated with an earlier onset of intolerable dyspnea; however, neuro-muscular and neuro-ventilatory coupling of the respiratory system remained relatively preserved during exercise in the presence of an increased external dead space. Under these circumstances, DSL-induced increases in exertional dyspnea intensity ratings reflected, at least in part, the awareness of increased neural respiratory drive, contractile respiratory muscle effort and ventilatory output.
authors: Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
authors: Dennis
authors: D
authors: Jensen
authors: Denis E
authors: DE
authors: O'Donnell
authors: Ruifa
authors: R
authors: Li
authors: Yuan-Ming
authors: YM
authors: Luo
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004576:Electromyography; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D017079:Exercise Tolerance / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology; D012123:Pulmonary Ventilation / Q000502:physiology*; D012126:Respiratory Dead Space / Q000502:physiology*; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012132:Respiratory Muscles / Q000502:physiology*