Steady-state response of conscious man to small expiratory resistive loads.

To determine the predominant steady-state ventilatory responses to mild expiratory flow-resistive loads, we subjected 14 normal subjects to expiratory resistances of 0-10 cm H2O/L/sec (R0-R3). Breathing patterns and abdominal muscle activity (EMG) were recorded during quiet breathing, and when ventilation was augmented by dead space breathing (7 subjects) or treadmill walking (7 subjects). Expiratory loading increased expiratory time (TE), tidal volume and mean inspiratory flow rate, while decreasing inspiratory duty cycle and respiratory frequency. Minute ventilation (VI) remained constant. These load responses were most prominent during quiet breathing, and were attenuated or abolished as VI increased. Abdominal EMG was negligible during quiet breathing, increased when VI increased, but showed no consistent response to R1-R3. Thus, the principal defense against mild expiratory loads is prolongation of expiration, accompanied by enhanced inspiratory drive. Abdominal muscle expiratory activity is elicited by increasing ventilation, but occurs only sporadically with expiratory loading of the magnitude studied.