The separate effects of increased O
2 pressure (O
2-dependent effect), and increased N
2 pressure, pressure per se and gas density (non-O
2-dependent effect) on cardiorespiratory function during submaximal work (600 and 900kgm/min) at 2 atmospheres absolute (2 ATA) were studied by comparing data under three different conditions, viz, with subjects (9 male, non-diver) breathing (A) air at 1.00 ATA, (B) 34.6% O
2 in N
2 at 1.21 ATA (same P
IO2 as in C, same P
IN2 as in A), and (C) air at 2.00 ATA.
At 2 ATA, pulmonary ventilation and oxygen uptake rate during work at load of 900kg/min were significantly reduced due to non-O
2-dependent effect. This depression in ventilation was due mainly to the increased resistances of airway and respiratory apparatus caused by the increased gas density. To this inadequate ventilatory response, mixed expired P
CO2 raised significantly. Heart rate was decreased at both work loads due to non-O
2-dependent effect. The effect to the cardiorespiratory function at 2 ATA during submaximal work was ascribed to the non-O
2-dependent factors.
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