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Thoracic load carriage-induced respiratory muscle fatigue

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European Journal of Applied Physiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

We investigated the effect of carrying a 25 kg backpack upon exercise-induced respiratory muscle fatigue, pulmonary function and physiological and perceptual responses to exercise.

Methods

Nineteen healthy males performed 60 min walking at 6.5 km h−1 and 0 % gradient with a 25 kg backpack (load carriage; LC). Following 15 min recovery participants then completed a 2.4 km time trial with the load (LCTT) and on a different day, repeated the trials without the load [control trial (CON) and control time trial (CONTT), respectively]. Respiratory muscle fatigue was determined by the transient change in maximal inspiratory (P Imax) and expiratory (P Emax) pressure prior to and immediately following exercise.

Results

P Imax and P Emax were reduced from baseline by 11 and 13 % (P < 0.05), respectively, post-LC but remained unchanged post-CON. Following the time trial P Imax and P Emax were reduced 16 and 19 %, respectively, post-LCTT (P < 0.05) and by 6 and 10 %, respectively (P < 0.05), post-CONTT compared to baseline. Both forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in 1 s were reduced by 4 ± 13 and 1 ± 9 %, respectively, during LC when compared to CON. Relative to CON all physiological and perceptual responses were greater in LC, both post-LC and -LCTT (P < 0.01). Time trial performance was faster during CONTT (11.08 ± 1.62 min) relative to LCTT (15.93 ± 1.91 min; P < 0.05).

Conclusion

This study provides novel evidence that constant speed walking and time trial exercise with 25 kg thoracic load carriage induces significant inspiratory and expiratory muscle fatigue and may have important performance implications in some recreational and occupational settings.

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Abbreviations

CON:

Control trial

CONTT :

Control time trial

FEV1 :

Forced expiratory volume in 1 s

FVC:

Forced vital capacity

[glucose]B :

Blood glucose

HR:

Heart rate

[lac−]B :

Blood lactate

LC:

Load carriage trial

LCTT :

Load carriage time trial

PEF:

Peak expiratory flow

P Imax :

Maximal inspiratory mouth pressure

P Emax :

Maximal expiratory mouth pressure

RER:

Respiratory exchange ration

\(\dot{V}\) E :

Minute ventilation

\(\dot{V}\)CO2 :

Carbon dioxide production

\(\dot{V}\)O2 :

Oxygen consumption

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Conflict of interest

No conflicts of interest for each of the authors.

Ethical standards

All experimental procedures and methods of assessment used in this study were ethically approved by the host universities ethics committee and conform to the laws of the United Kingdom.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Science, University of Derby, Kedleston Road, Derby, DE22 1GB, UK

    Mark A. Faghy & Peter I. Brown

  2. English Institute of Sport, Loughborough High Performance Centre, Loughborough, UK

    Peter I. Brown

Authors
  1. Mark A. Faghy
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  2. Peter I. Brown
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mark A. Faghy.

Additional information

Communicated by Guido Ferretti.

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Faghy, M.A., Brown, P.I. Thoracic load carriage-induced respiratory muscle fatigue. Eur J Appl Physiol 114, 1085–1093 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-014-2839-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-014-2839-4

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