Breathing Patterns of Healthy Human Response to Different Levels of Physical Activity

Many people nowadays do physical activities to improve long-term health, strengthen muscles and bones and get emotional and mental benefits. During physical activity, rate and depth of breathing increase because working muscles need extra oxygen in order to produce more energy. The purpose of this study is to investigate the breathing pattern of healthy human in response to different levels of physical activity measured by distance and duration. Spirometric measurement of breathing parameters of five male participants at rest (sitting and standing) and response to different levels of physical activity (walking, jogging and running) was performed. Using the spirometry data, mathematical models were developed to describe the resulting breathing patterns. The data and the model were used for the analysis of breathing patterns. There was small variation of corresponding breathing parameters for a subject during sitting and standing at rest. Increasing the level of physical activity raised the respiratory characteristic such as tidal volume, breathing frequency and flow rate. The average and peak inspiratory and expiratory flow rates were obtained for the five breathing conditions. The peak inspiratory air flow rate in response to running was 3.4 times that of walking. It was 3.7 times for expiration. Breathing patterns of any two individuals are different. The human breathing is highly affected by the level of physical activity we are doing. The study can help to create awareness regarding breathing pattern related to physical activity and to choose appropriate physical activity