Ventilatory Responses to Exercise While Eliciting the Relaxation Response,
Abstract
The effect of the elicitaton of the relaxation response by use of a meditative technique on selected ventilatory variables was studied in eleven experimental (E) subjects who pedaled on an electrically-braked cycle ergometer at a low exercise intensity (50 W) while simultaneously eliciting this response. Subjects in the E group had regularly elicited the relaxation response for a mean of 5.4 yrs (+ or - 1.4 S.E.). Respiratory rate (breaths/min 18.5C, 13.6E), minute ventilation (liters/min 20.17C, 17.92E), and ventilatory for oxygen (26.06C, 23.16E) decreased and tidal volume (liters/breath 1.15C, 1.49E) increased significantly (p < or = 0.05) during the relaxation response period in the E group. None of these ventilatory responses differed significantly (p > 0.05) between groups either before or after the meditation period. Differences seen in oxygen uptake and the respiratory exchange ratio between groups throughout exercise were not significant while the heart rate response was significantly higher for the E group throughout exercise. Rated perceived exertion significantly increased in the E group between the meditative (9.7) and post-meditative (11.0) period. These changes demonstrate that a voluntary wakeful mental activity that produces the relaxation response may alter ventilatory responses during exercise.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 16, 1982
- Accession Number
- ADA115102
Entities
People
- Gene Stainbrook
- Ilan Kutz
- John W. Hoffman
- Kent B. Pandolf
- Margaret A. Caudill
Organizations
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center