Impact of aging on the work of breathing during exercise in healthy men

Abstract

This study evaluated the impact of aging on the work of breathing ( Wb) during locomotor exercise evoking similar ventilatory rates, metabolic rates, and operating lung volumes in young and older individuals. Mainly because of a greater inspiratory elastic and resistive Wb in older participants, total Wb was higher during exercise at any given ventilatory and metabolic rate with aging. However, this age-related difference was abolished during exercise evoking similar operating lung volumes in both age groups. These findings highlight the significance of lung volumes in determining the age-related difference in total Wb.