INTERRELATIONSHIPS OF RESPIRATORY VARIABLES OF COAL-MINERS DURING WORK

The respiratory responses of expiratory volume ([Vdot]E),respiratory frequency fR),oxygen consumption ([Vdot] O2) and carbon dioxide elimination ([Vdot] CO2) were measured for coal miners while they were performing a variety of work tasks (walking, carrying, shovelling, cranking and running). Because of the difficulties in relating the respiratory variables to external work rate and a close dependence of the respiratory responses on metabolic activity, oxygen consumption was chosen as an independent variable in the predictors for pulmonary ventilation, respiration frequency, and carbon dioxide elimination. It was necessary to use nonlinear equations for [Vdot]E and [Vdot] Co2 owing to exercise hyperpnoea above the anaerobic threshold fR did not correlate well with [Vdot] O2 or any of the other respiratory variables. The relationship between [Vdot]E and Vdot]CO2 was linear. © 1979 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.