Reduced Blood [C02] and its Effect on Respiration

Table 1. Before (at rest) and After

(completed hyperventilation)
Group Before After Breathing Rate
1 24 42

2 18 38

3 20 32

4 20 28

5 18 32

In some extent, higher brain centres (e.g. cerebral cortex) consciously controlled our
breathing. It is also possible for our breathing rate to change voluntarily. A respiration rate
under 12 or over 25 breaths per minute while resting is considered abnormal. As shown in
Table 1, breathing rate after the completion of hyperventilation is much higher compared to the
breathing rate at rest. Ramgopal (2017) mentioned that, the normal breathing rate ranges from
14-18 breaths per minute. In aerobic exercise, additional carbon dioxide (CO 2) is produced
and additional oxygen (O2) is required for the muscles to work that leads to the rise in CO 2
level. The carbon dioxide acts on the brain to stimulate breathing that results to the person
who is exercising to have a faster rate of respiration. This action helps maintain the adequate
oxygenation of the blood and gets rid of the additional carbon dioxide. From the results
obtained, it showed that all the groups had the normal breathing rate and it increases after
doing a 10sec exercise for hyperventilation.

Ramgopal S. 2017. The Effects of Hyperventilation on Breathing