Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Operating lung volumes are affected by exercise mode but not trunk and hip angle during maximal exercise

  • Original Article
  • Published:
European Journal of Applied Physiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Introduction

Despite VO2peak being, generally, greater while running compared to cycling, ventilation (V E) during maximal exercise is less while running compared to cycling. Differences in operating lung volumes (OLV) between maximal running and cycling could be one explanation for previously observed differences in V E and this could be due to differences in body position e.g., trunk/hip angle during exercise.

Purpose

We asked whether OLV differed between maximal running and cycling and if this difference was due to trunk/hip angle during exercise.

Methods

Eighteen men performed three graded maximal exercise tests; one while running, one while cycling in the drop position (i.e., extreme hip flexion), and one while cycling upright (i.e., seated with thorax upright). Resting flow-volume characteristics were measured in each body position to be used during exercise. Tidal flow-volume loops were measured throughout the exercise.

Results

V E during maximal running (148.8 ± 18.9 L min−1) tended to be lower than during cycling in the drop position (158.5 ± 24.7 L min−1; p = 0.07) and in the upright position (158.5 ± 23.7 L min−1; p = 0.06). End-inspiratory and end-expiratory lung volumes (EILV, EELV) were significantly larger during drop cycling compared to running (87.1 ± 4.1 and 35.8 ± 6.2 vs. 83.9 ± 6.0 and 33.0 ± 5.7 % FVC), but only EILV was larger during upright cycling compared to running (88.2 ± 3.5 % FVC). OLV and V E did not differ between cycling positions.

Conclusion

Since OLV are altered by exercise mode, but cycling position did not have a significant impact on OLV, we conclude that trunk/hip angle is likely not the primary factor determining OLV during maximal exercise.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4

Similar content being viewed by others

Abbreviations

EELV:

End-expiratory lung volumes

EILV:

End-inspiratory lung volumes

fb:

Frequency of breathing

FEO2 :

Fraction of expired O2

FECO2− :

Fraction of expired CO2

FEV1 :

Forced expired volume in 1 s

FEV1/FVC:

Forced expired volume in 1 s to forced vital capacity ratio

FVC:

Forced vital capacity

HR:

Heart rate

IC:

Inspiratory capacity

MEF50 :

Maximal expiratory flow at 50 % of forced vital capacity

OLV:

Operating lung volumes

PEF:

Peak expired flow rate

rpm:

Revolutions per minute

RER:

Respiratory exchange ratio

Ti/T Total :

Inspiratory duty cycle as a percentage of total breathing cycle time

TLC:

Total lung capacity

T Total :

Total breathing cycle time

V E :

Minute ventilation

V E/VO2 :

Ventilatory equivalents for oxygen (O2)

V E/VCO2 :

Ventilatory equivalents for carbon dioxide (CO2)

VO2peak :

Peak oxygen consumption

V T :

Tidal volume

W:

Watts

References

  • Agostoni E, Hyatt RE (1986) Static behavior of the respiratory system. In: Macklem PT, Mead, J (eds) Handbook of Physiology. American Physiological Society, Bethesda

  • Astrand PO, Saltin B (1961) Maximal oxygen uptake and heart rate in various types of muscular activity. J Appl Physiol 16:977–981

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Babb TG (1997) Ventilatory response to exercise in subjects breathing CO2 or HeO2. J Appl Physiol 82:746–754

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Babb TG (1999) Mechanical ventilatory constraints in aging, lung disease, and obesity: perspectives and brief review. Med Sci Sports Exerc 31:S12–S22

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Babb TG, Viggiano R, Hurley B, Staats B, Rodarte JR (1991) Effect of mild-to-moderate airflow limitation on exercise capacity. J Appl Physiol 70:223–230

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Balke B, Ware RW (1959) An experimental study of physical fitness of Air Force personnel. US Armed Forces Med J 10:675–688

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Berry MJ, Pollock WE, van Nieuwenhuizen K, Brubaker PH (1994) A comparison between aero and standard racing handlebars during prolonged heavy exercise. Int J Sports Med 15:16–20

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bradley CA, Anthonisen NR (1980) Rib cage and abdominal restrictions have different effects on lung mechanics. J Appl Physiol 49:946–952

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Butts NK, Henry BA, McLean D (1991) Correlations between VO2max and performance times of recreational triathletes. J Sports Med Phys Fitness 31:339–344

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • De Troyer A (1983) Mechanical role of the abdominal muscles in relation to posture. Respir Physiol 53:341–353

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Derchak PA, Stager JM, Tanner DA, Chapman RF (2000) Expiratory flow limitation confounds ventilatory response during exercise. Med Sci Sports Exerc 32:1873–1879

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Elliott AD, Grace F (2010) An examination of exercise mode on ventilatory patterns during incremental exercise. Eur J Appl Physiol 110:557–562

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Faria I, Dix C, Frazier C (1978) Effect of body position during cycling on heart rate, pulmonary ventilation, oxygen uptake and work output. J Sports Med 18:49–56

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gavin TP, Stager JM (1999) The effect of exercise modality on exercise-induced hypoxemia. Respir Physiol 115:317–323

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Griffiths LA, McConnell AK (2012) The influence of towing-related postures upon respiratory muscle pressure and flow generating capacity. Eur J Appl Physiol 112:4143–4150

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Grillner S, Nilsson J, Thorstensson A (1978) Intra-abdominal pressure changes during natural movements in man. Acta Physiol Scand 103:275–283

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Guenette JA, Dominelli PB, Reeve SS, Durkin CM, Eves ND, Sheel AW (2010) Effect of thoracic gas compression and bronchodilation on the assessment of expiratory flow limitation during exercise in healthy humans. Respir Physiol Neurobiol 170:279–286

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hankinson JL, Odencrantz JR, Fedan KB (1999) Spirometric reference values from a sample of the general US population. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 159:179–187

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Henke K, Sharratt M, Pegelow D, Dempsey JA (1988) Regulation of end-expiratory lung volume during exercise. J Appl Physiol 64:135–146

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hermansen L, Ekblom B, Saltin B (1970) Cardiac output during submaximal and maximal treadmill and bicycle exercise. J Appl Physiol 29:82–86

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hodges PW, Gandevia SC (2000) Changes in intra-abdominal pressure during postural and respiratory activation of the human diaphragm. J Appl Physiol 89:967–976

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hopkins SR, Barker RC, Brutsaert TD, Gavin TP, Entin P, Olfert IM, Veisel S, and Wagner PD (2000) Pulmonary gas exchange during exercise in women: effects of exercise type and work increment. J Appl Physiol. 89:721–730

  • Hussain SN, Rabinovitch B, Macklem PT, Pardy RL (1985) Effects of separate rib cage and abdominal restriction on exercise performance in normal humans. J Appl Physiol 58:2020–2026

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Johnson B, Seow KC, Pegelow DF, Dempsey JA (1990) Adaptation of the inert gas FRC technique for use in heavy exercise. J Appl Physiol 68:802–809

  • Johnson B, Reddan WB, Seow KC, Dempsey JA (1991a) Flow limitation and regulation of functional residual capacity during exercise in a physically active aging population. Am Rev Respir Dis 143:960–967

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Johnson B, Reddan WG, Seow KC, Dempsey JA (1991b) Mechanical constraints on exercise hyperpnea in a fit aging population. Am Rev Respir Dis 143:968–977

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Johnson B, Scanlon PD, Beck KC (1995) Regulation of ventilatory capacity during exercise in asthmatics. J Appl Physiol 79:892–901

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Klas JV, Dempsey JA (1989) Voluntary versus reflex regulation of maximal exercise flow-volume loops. Am Rev Respir Dis 139:587–600

  • Koyal SN, Whipp BJ, Hunstman D, Bray GA, Wasserman K (1976) Ventilatory responses to the metabolic acidosis of treadmill and cycle ergometry. J Appl Physiol 40:864–867

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • McClaran S, Wetter TJ, Pegelow DF, Dempsey JA (1999) Role of expiratory flow limitation in determining lung volumes and ventilation during exercise. J Appl Physiol 86:1357–1366

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • McCully KK, Faulkner JA (1983) Length-tension relationship of the mamallian diaphragm muscles. J Appl Physiol 54:1681–1686

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mendonca CT, Schaeffer MR, Riley P, Jensen D (2013) Physiological mechanisms of dyspnea during exercise with external thoracic restriction: role of increased neural respiratory drive. J Appl Physiol. doi:10.1152/japplphysiol.00950.2013

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Miller MR, Hankinson J, Brusasco V, Burgos F, Casaburi R, Coates A, Crapo R, Enright P, van der Grinten CPM, Gustafsson P, Jensen R, Johnson DC, MacIntyre N, McKay R, Navajas D, Pedersen OF, Pellegrino R, Viegi G, Wanger J, Force AE (2005) Standardisation of spirometry. Eur Respir J 26:319–338

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Millet GP, Vleck VE, Bentley DJ (2009) Physiological differences between cycling and running: lessons from triathletes. Sports Med 39:179–206

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Origenes M, Blank SE, Schoene RB (1993) Exercise ventilatory response to upright and aero-posture cycling. Med Sci Sports Exerc 25:608–612

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pannier JL, Vrijens J, Van Cauter C (1980) Cardiorespiratory response to treadmill and bicycle exercise in runners. Eur J Appl Physiol Occup Physiol 43:243–251

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pellegrino R, Brusasco V, Rodarte JR, Babb TG (1993) Expiratory flow limitation and regulation of end-expiratory lung volume during exercise. J Appl Physiol 74:2552–2558

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pellegrino R, Viegi G, Brusasco V, Crapo RO, Burgos F, Casaburi R, Coates A, van der Grinten CPM, Gustafsson P, Hankinson J, Jensen R, Johnson DC, MacIntyre N, McKay R, Miller MR, Navajas D, Pedersen OF, Wanger J (2005) Interpretative strategies for lung function tests. Eur Respir J 26:948–968

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pierce EF, Weltman A, Seip RL, Snead D (1990) Effects of training specificity on lactate threshold and VO2peak. Int J Sports Med 11:267–272

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Scheidt M, Hyatt RE, Rehder K (1981) Effects of rib cage or abdominal restriction on lung mechanics. J Appl Physiol 49:1115–1121

    Google Scholar 

  • Sharafkhaneh A, Babb TG, Officer TM, Hanania NA, Sharafkhaneh H, Boriek AM (2007) The confounding effects of thoracic gas compression on measurements of acute bronchodilator response. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 175:330–335

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Sharratt M, Henke KG, Aaron EA, Pegelow DF, Dempsey JA (1987) Exercise-induced changes in functional residual capacity. Respir Physiol 70:313–326

  • Smith J, Bellemare F (1988) Effect of lung volume on in vivo contraction characteristics of the human diaphragm. Respir Muscles COPD 95–110

  • Smith TBRJ, Hopkins WG, Taylor NAS (1994) Respiratory responses of elite oarsmen, former oarsmen, and highly trained non-rowers during rowing, cycling, and running. Eur J Appl Physiol 69:44–49

  • Stromme SB, Ingjer F, Meen HD (1977) Assessment of maximal aerobic power in specifically trained athletes. J Appl Physiol 42:833–837

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Stubbing D, Pengelly LD, Morse JLC, Jones NL (1980) Pulmonary mechanics during exercise in normal males. J Appl Physiol 49:506–510

  • Tanner DA, Duke JW, Stager JM (2014) Ventilatory patterns differ between maximal running and cycling. Respir Physiol Neurobiol 191:9–16

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Taylor BJ, How SC, Romer LM (2013) Expiratory muscle fatigue does not regulate operating lung volumes during high-intensity exercise in healthy humans. J Appl Physiol 114:1569–1576

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Younes M, Kivinen G (1984) Respiratory mechanics and breathing pattern during and following maximal exercise. J Appl Physiol 57:1773–1782

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Human Performance Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, 47405, USA

    Joseph W. Duke, Jonathon L. Stickford, Joshua C. Weavil, Robert F. Chapman, Joel M. Stager & Timothy D. Mickleborough

Authors
  1. Joseph W. Duke
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Jonathon L. Stickford
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Joshua C. Weavil
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Robert F. Chapman
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Joel M. Stager
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Timothy D. Mickleborough
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Joseph W. Duke.

Additional information

Communicated by Guido Ferretti.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Duke, J.W., Stickford, J.L., Weavil, J.C. et al. Operating lung volumes are affected by exercise mode but not trunk and hip angle during maximal exercise. Eur J Appl Physiol 114, 2387–2397 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-014-2956-0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-014-2956-0

Keywords

Search

Navigation