The role of pulmonary CO2 flow in the control of the phase l ventilatory response to exercise in humans

To gain an insight into the origin of the phase I ventilatory response to exercise (ph I) in humans, pulmonary ventilation WE) and end-tidal partial pressures of oxygen and carbon dioxide (PETO2 and PETCO2, respectively) were measured breath-by-breath in six male subjects during constant-intensity exercise on the cycle ergometer at 50, 100 and 150 W, with eupnoeic normocapnia (N) or hyperpnoeic hypocapnia (H) established prior to the exercise test. Cardiac output (Q2) was also determined beat-by-beat by impedance cardiography on eight subjects during moderate exercise (50 W), and the C02 flow to the lungs (Q2·CvCO2 where CvCO2 is concentration of CO2 in mixed veneous blood) was estimated with a time resolution of one breathing cycle. In N, the initial abrupt increase of PE during ph I (ΔVE approximately 18 l · min-1 above rest) was followed by a transient fall. When PETCO2 started to increase (and PETO2 decreased) VE increased again (phase II ventilatory response, ph II). In H, during ...