The switching point from nasal to oronasal breathing,☆☆

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Abstract

The switching point from nasal to oronasal breathing during incrementally graded submaximal exercise was determined in 30 (14 M, 16 F) healthy adult volunteers. Nasal airflow was measured by a pneumotachograph attached to a nasal mask. Oral airflow was determined as the difference between nasal airflow and total pulmonary airflow, the latter being measured by a head-out exercise body plethysmorgraph. The airflow and pressure signals were sampled every 20 msec by a microprocessor, which calculated respiratory volumes and nasal work of breathing, and produced an on-line print-out. Twenty of the 30 subjects (normal augmenters) switched from nasal to oronasal breathing at submaximal exercise of 105.0 W (SD = 30.1), four subjects (mouth breathers) breathed habitually oronasally, five subjects (nose breathers) persistently through the nose only, and one subject showed no consistent nose/mouth breathing pattern. In normal augmenters, the onset of oronasal breathing (V̇e ± 10.8 1 · min−1) was quite consistent individually, but varied considerably between individuals without showing a significant sex difference. The factors most closely related to the switching point were rating of perceived exertion of breathing and nasal work of breathing.

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  • Cited by (0)

    Based in part on material presented by one of us (V.N.) in fulfillment of the requirements of a Ph.D. degree within the University of Toronto.

    ☆☆

    This work was supported in part by a grant from Physicians Services Inc. Foundation of Ontario, Canada.

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