The Effect on Respiratory Drive of a Prolonged Physical Conditioning Program1,2

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Abstract
Sedentary men [9], 21-35 yr of age, took part in a physical conditioning program involving regular aerobic exercise over 6-8 wk. There was significant improvement in indexes of cardiorespiratory fitness. Ventilatory and mouth occlusion pressure responses to CO2 at rest and during treadmill exercise were measured before and after training. The slopes of the regression .ovrhdot.VE [ventilation]/PCO2 [CO2 partial pressure] increased during exercise (P < 0.05), but not significantly at rest. The slopes of the regression of occlusion pressure at 100 ms vs. PCO2 (P100[pressure generated 100 ms after an airway occlusion]/PCO2) did not change significantly at rest or during exercise. .ovrhdot.VE/PCO2 and P100/PCO2 did not change from rest to exercise, and showed no relation to indexes of fitness. Apparently, the low respiratory drive seen in some athletes is not due to the adaptation that results from short-term training. It may be possible that long-term training may result in decreased responsiveness to CO2.