Breathlessness predicts perceived exertion in young women with mild asthma.

We examined ratings of breathlessness (BRE) as a predictor of perceived exertion (RPE) during incremental cycling at power outputs of 50, 75, and 100 W. Young females (21 yr +/- 1.9) diagnosed with mild asthma (N = 25) were compared with females having normal lung function (N = 25) matched for age, VO2peak, trait anxiety, activity history (7-d recall), and BMI (kg.m-2). Relative oxygen consumption (%VO2peak), blood lactate concentration, VE.VO2(-1), and state anxiety were statistically controlled in hierarchical multiple linear regression analyses. For each group, %VO2peak explained 60% of the variance in RPE across power outputs (P less than 0.001); R2 was unchanged (P greater than 0.10) with the addition of blood lactate, VE.VO2(-1), and state anxiety. Absolute RPE and BRE did not differ between groups at any power output, but partial standardized (beta) and unstandardized (b) regression coefficients and increases in R2 showed that BRE had a greater effect (P less than 0.01) on RPE for asthmatics [adjusted R2 increased to 0.89; (beta) = 0.75; (b) = 0.79 +/- 0.06] than for controls [adjusted R2 increased to 0.74; (beta) = 0.52; (b) = 0.51 +/- 0.09]. The standard error of the prediction was 0.79 for asthmatics and 1.16 for controls. The prediction of RPE by BRE was not moderated by variation in forced expiratory volume for 1 s (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC) or peak inspiratory flow (VI). Physiological responses were similar for the groups, but blood lactate was higher in asthmatics at rest, at each power output, and at VO2peak.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)