Purpose: We examined the effect of chest wall restriction（ CWR） using an elastic chest band on cardiorespiratory function and autonomic nerve function during steady-state exercise. Methods: Twenty-one healthy subjects performed 9 min of steady-state exercise at a work rate of 80% of ventilatory threshold on a cycle ergometer under CWR and non-CWR. Borg scale ratings of dyspnea, respiratory rate, heart rate, blood pressure, low-frequency （LF） power and highfrequency （HF） power of RR intervals, and the LF/HF ratio were measured during exercise. Blood pressure was measured at rest and at the final 1 min at the end of exercise. Results: Borg scale ratings, the respiratory rate, and heart rate under CWR were significantly higher than those under non-CWR. There was no significant difference in blood pressure at the final 1 min at the end of exercise between CWR and non-CWR. The HF component under CWR was significantly lower than that under non-CWR, whereas the LF/HF ratio under CWR was significantly higher than that under non-CWR. Conclusion: These results indicate that chest pressure fixation by an elastic chest band facilitates sympathetic nerve activity and constricts parasympathetic activity during steady-state exercise.
