[Mechanism of the fast neurogenic component of the respiratory response to muscular work].

Dynamics of pulmonary ventilation, electric activity of the intercostal muscles and of the alveolar gas composition was studied in 12 healthy men during dosaged muscular work; these men were given different gas mixtures to breathe. The respiratory response at the initial period of work in inhalation of the hypoxic-hypercapnic gas mixture was greater than that in persons who breathed room air. This response practically disappeared after oxygen hyperventilation. Apparently the rapid component of the ventilation response to the muscular work was largely due to increased sensitivity of the respiratory centre to the chemoreceptive drive.