Pulmonary Function Studies in Healthy Men and Women 50 Years and Older

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Abstract
Pulmonary function was studied in 11 men and 15 women, 50 yrs. of age or older, who had no clinical or radiological evidence of cardiopul-monary disease. The significant alterations found, relative to healthy young adults, were: a decrease in vital capacity and inspiratory capacity, an increase in functional residual capacity, residual volume and in the resid. vol.: total capacity ratio, less even intrapulmonary distr. of inspired gas, and reduction in mean bronchiolar capacity. Arterial O2 saturation, and pCO2 and pH did not differ significantly from values for healthy young adults. The possible mechanisms responsible for these changes are discussed.