Relationship Between Heart Rate and Minute Ventilation, Tidal Volume and Respiratory Rate During Brief and Low Level Exercise

The correlation between heart rate (HR) and three respiratory parameters, minute ventilation (VE), tidal volume (Vt), and respiratory rate (RR), were studied. Four healthy subjects performed four exercise tests duration 30 seconds at 50, 100, 150, or 200 W), in random order. Cardio-respiratory parameters were recorded respiratory cycle by respiratory cycle. The results of these low level exercise tests showed that oxygen consumption (VO₂) was strongly correlated with VE (r = 0.91 ± 0.10; P < 0.01) (except in one test) and Vt (r =0.91 ± 0.07; P < 0.001) (except in one test). There was no significant correlation between VO² and RR. At exercise onset HR, VE, and Vt were modified in a matter of a few heart beats while RR varied depending on the subject and the level of exercise. During exercise average HR, VE, and Vt were significantly higher than at rest in most cases; but RR was not significantly changed by exercise. The correlations between HR and VE, Vt and RR varied from one individual to another. Nevertheless, the correlation coefficients were positive for VE and Vt, while they were negative for RR. Sensing respiratory rate thus appears to be insufficient for responsive pacing of exercise onset, but sensing respiratory volumes (Vt, VE) should give satisfactory results.