Conditioned reflex mechanisms of adaptation to additional breathing resistance

The problem of adaptation to additional breathing resistance has recently become more urgent due to the growth of bronchopulmonary diseases. Therefore, there is a natural interest in non-drug strategies compensating resistive breathing in humans. The aim of the study was to assess conditioned reflex changes in the functional state of the subjects under additional breathing resistance. Materials and Methods. The work was carried out on 55 practically healthy subjects of both sexes, aged 18-36. Additional breathing resistance was modeled by inspiratory resistive loads of40, 60, 70, and 80 % of the maximum intraoral pressure. The conditioned respiratory reflex to resistive respiratory load was developed as a short-delayed conditioned signal with a 30-second period of isolated action. The authors examined behavioral, vegetative, gas and energy indicators of the organism before and after the formation of a conditioned reflex. Results. It was observed that conditioned reflex shifts of physiological parameters in the process of adaptation to additional breathing resistance differ significantly from the corresponding unconditioned reflex changes both in nature and in intensity. Conditioned reflex mechanisms reduce the intensity of shifts in the motor component of the external respiration system, which, apparently, is the main reason to decrease the aversive behavior. Conclusion. Behavioral changes after the formation of a conditioned respiratory reflex to additional respiratory resistance are characterized by a decrease in aversive behavior patterns. The conditioned reflex realization of increasing resistive loads is expressed in a lower physiological cost of adaptation to additional respiratory resistance relative to the unconditioned reflex type of realization.