MODULE SUPPLEMENT: PULMONARY SYSTEM
Activities 1 & 2

Activity 1:

Take in a deep breath, exhale only part of this breath, and then breath in and out from this higher lung volume. How does it feel? Would you be able to keep this up for very long?

The changes that occur with exercise are adaptive, but also very inefficient. This adaptive pattern may also be seen in a general tendency, even at rest, for older adults to take shallower breaths and breath more quickly, which would be reflected in a somewhat increased minute ventilation and minute ventilation and less filling of the alveoli in the bases.

Activity 2:

Carefully watch older adults that you see in clinical practice as they breath while sitting quietly and try to count their respirations accurately. Check out your findings. Report back if possible (send emails to: meg.Wallhagen@nursing.ucsf.edu)

Given these changes, it is not be surprising to find some inspiratory crackles on exam, although these should clear with deep breaths and coughing. Of course, if these are associated with any other respiratory symptoms we have to be careful not to overlook signs of a respiratory or cardiac problem.

Of clinical importance is the fact that data support the positive effects of exercise. Thus, both elderly males and females are capable of demonstrating a training effect in response to endurance training regardless of previous physical activity patterns and current training.