Respiratory Responses

to Acute Exercise
 Pulmonary Ventilation

Φ Pulmonary ventilation increases during

exercise in direct proportion to the
metabolic needs of exercising muscle.

Φ At lower exercise intensities, this is

accomplished by increases in tidal volume
(the amount off air moved in and out of the
lungs during regular breathing).
 Pulmonary Ventilation

Φ At higher intensities the rate of respiration

also increases. Maximal rates of pulmonary
ventilation depend on body size.

Φ Maximal ventilation rates of approximately

100 L/min are common for smaller
individuals, but rates exceeding 200 L/min
may be seen in larger individuals.
 Pulmonary Ventilation

 During exercise, ventilation shows an almost

immediate increase, resulting from increased
inspiratory center stimulation caused by central
command and neural feedback from muscle
activity it self.
 This is followed by a plateau (light exercise) or a
more gradual increase in respiration (heavier
exercise) that results from chemical changes in
the arterial blood resulting from exercise
metabolism.
 Ventilatory Threshold

 Ventilation increases during exercise in

direct proportion to the rate of work
being performed, up to the ventilatory
threshold.

 Beyond this point, ventilation increases

disproportionately as the body tries to
clear excess CO2.
Ventilatory Threshold
 Respiratory Regulation

 Respiratory muscles can account for up to

10% of the body's total oxygen consumption
and 15% of the cardiac output during heavy
exercise.
 Pulmonary ventilation is usually not a limiting
factor for performance, even during maximal
effort, although it can limit performance in
some elite endurance athletes.
 The respiratory muscles are well designed to
avoid fatigue during long-term activity.
 Respiratory Regulation

 Airway resistance and gas diffusion

usually do not limit performance in
normal, healthy individuals exercising
at sea level.
 The respiratory system can limit
performance in people with various
types of restrictive or obstructive
respiratory disorders.
 Respiratory Regulation

 High intensity exercise results in the

production & accumulation of lactate &
H+

 An acid concentration above normal is

referred to as acidosis, whereas a
decrease in acid below the normal
concentration is called alkalosis
Respiratory Regulation
Respiratory Regulation

I Ketut Adnyana
School of Pharmacy ITB
 I Ketut Adnyana
School of Pharmacy ITB
 Respiratory Regulation

 Excess H+ (decreased pH) impairs muscle

contractility and ATP generation.
 The respiratory and renal systems play
integral roles in maintaining acid-base
balance.
 The renal system is involved in more long-
term maintenance of acid-base balance
through the secretion of H+.
 Whenever H+ concentration starts to increase,
the inspiratory center responds by increasing
respiration.
 Respiratory Regulation

 Removing carbon dioxide is an essential

means for reducing H+ concentrations.
 Carbon dioxide is transported primarily bound
to bicarbonate. Once it reaches the lungs,
carbon dioxide is formed again and exhaled.
 Whenever H+ concentration begins to
increase, whether from carbon dioxide or
lactate accumulation, bicarbonate ion can
buffer the H+ to prevent acidosis.