Nasal resistance and flow resistive work of nasal breathing during exercise: effects of a nasal dilator strip

• Published in: Journal of applied physiology (1985) Vol. 89; no. 3; pp. 1114 - 1122
• Main Authors: Gehring, J. M, Garlick, S. R, Wheatley, J. R, Amis, T. C
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bethesda, MD Am Physiological Soc 01.09.2000; American Physiological Society
• Subjects: Adult; Air breathing; Airway Resistance - physiology; Biological and medical sciences; Dilatation - instrumentation; Exercise; Exercise - physiology; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Humans; Male; Nasal Cavity - physiology; Nose; Pressure; Pulmonary Ventilation - physiology; Respiration; Respiratory system; Respiratory system: anatomy, metabolism, gas exchange, ventilatory mechanics, respiratory hemodynamics; Rest; Space life sciences; Vertebrates: respiratory system; Work of Breathing; Strip; Dilatator; Physical exercise; Human; Resistance; Rhinomanometry; Upper respiratory tract; Nose; Nostril; Air; Respiration; Adhesive
• ISSN: 8750-7587; 1522-1601
• DOI: 10.1152/jappl.2000.89.3.1114

Department of Respiratory Medicine, Westmead Hospital and University of Sydney, Westmead, New South Wales, 2145, Australia Using posterior rhinomanometry, we measured nasal airflow resistance (Rn) and flow-resistive work of nasal breathing (WONB), with an external nasal dilator strip (ENDS) and without (control), in 15 healthy adults (6 men, 9 women) during exclusive nasal breathing and graded (50-230 W) exercise on a cycle ergometer. ENDS decreased resting inspiratory and/or expiratory Rn (at 0.4 l/s) by >0.5 cmH 2 O · l 1 · s in 11 subjects ("responders"). Inspired ventilation ( I ) increased with external work rate, but tended to be greater with ENDS. Inspiratory and expiratory Rn (at 0.4 l/s) decreased as I increased but, in responders, tended to remain lower with ENDS. Inspiratory (but not expiratory) Rn at peak nasal airflow ( n) increased as I increased but, again, was lower with ENDS. At a I of ~35 l/min, ENDS decreased flow limitation and hysteresis of the inspiratory transnasal pressure-flow curve. In responders, ENDS reduced inspiratory WONB per breath and inspiratory nasal power values during exercise. We conclude that ENDS stiffens the lateral nasal vestibule walls and, in responders, may reduce the energy required for nasal ventilation during exercise. work of breathing