Mechanical efficiency of breathing

Abstract

Simultaneous measurements of mechanical work and energy cost of breathing were performed on four normal subjects with ventilation increased by adding dead space. Mechanical work was obtained from simultaneous records of endoesophageal pressure and tidal volume. The associated energy cost was estimated by measuring oxygen consumption of respiratory muscles by means of a closed-circuit spirometer. In all subjects studied and over the range of ventilations involved (ca. 30–110 l/min.), the mechanical efficiency of breathing was found to be in the order of 0.19–0.25. Submitted on July 6, 1959