Effects of Valsalva and Mueller maneuvers on breath-holding time

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Abstract
Breath holding to the breaking point was studied at FRC [functional residual capacity] in 6 healthy subjects in the sitting position. Breath-holding time increased with successive trials within experimental sessions in all subjects. To study the influence of Valsalva and Mueller maneuvers on breath-holding performance, sustained inspiratory or expiratory effort against an occluded mouthpiece was initiated 5 s before the anticipated breaking point, determined in previous trials. The subject tried to maintain a target mouth pressure of +20 or -20 cmH2O, displayed on an oscilloscope, for the remainder of the breath hold. Both types of maneuver consistently prolonged breath-holding time in all subjects. A control maneuver, in which the subjects squeezed rubber bulbs with their hands, was equally effective in prolonging breath-holding time. The results demonstrate the important influence of psychological factors on breath-holding performance and emphasize the need for caution in the interpretation of effects of relieving maneuvers on breath-holding time.

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