Application of Gray's Theory of Respiratory Control to the Hyperpnea Produced by Passive Movements of the Limbs

Abstract

The observations of previous workers that movements of the limbs produced by external forces cause an increase in the ventilation rate of human subjects is confirmed. In some individuals an increase in the O2 consumption was observed, indicating that these maneuvers are not always entirely passive. Continuous measurement by the Pauling Oxygen Meter and the Thermal Conductivity Apparatus of the alveolar O2 and CO2 tension made possible the calculation of the ventilatory stimulus due to the movements of the limbs per se by means of Gray''s multiple factor theory. Such calculations show that stimulus from such movements is enough to produce a ventilation increment 100% to 150% of the resting ventilation.