Does resistive loading decrease diaphragmatic contractility before task failure?

While sustaining a load that leads to task failure, it is unclear whether diaphragmatic fatigue develops progressively or occurs only at task failure. We hypothesized that incremental loading produces a progressive decrease in diaphragmatic contractility ever before task failure. Ten subjects generated 60% of maximal transdiaphragmatic pressure (Pdimax) for 2 min, 4 min, and until task failure. Before loading, 20 min after each period of loading, and approximately 20 h after the last period of loading, Pdimax, nonpotentiated and potentiated Pdi twitch pressure (Pditw), and the pattern of respiratory muscle recruitment during a CO2 challenge were recorded. Sensation of inspiratory effort at the 4th min of the task-failure protocol was greater than at the same time in the preceding 4-min protocol. Surprisingly, potentiated Pditw and Pdimax were reduced after 2 min of loading and decreased further after 4 min of loading and after task failure; nonpotentiated Pditw was reduced after 4 min of loading and after task failure. The gastric pressure contribution to tidal breathing during a CO2 challenge decreased progressively in relation to duration of the preceding loading period, whereas expiratory muscle recruitment progressively increased. A rest period of approximately 20 h after task failure was not sufficient to normalize these alterations in respiratory muscle recruitment or fatigue-induced changes in diaphragmatic contractility. In conclusion, while sustaining a mechanical load, the diaphragm progressively fatigued, ever before task failure, and when challenged the rib cage-to-diaphragmatic contribution to tidal breathing and recruitment of the expiratory muscles increased pari passu with duration of the preceding loading.