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Date of Graduation
5-9-2024
Semester of Graduation
Spring
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Department of Kinesiology
Second Advisor
Michael J. Saunders
Third Advisor
Nicholas D. Luden
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of pregnancy on expiratory flow limitation (EFL) and operating lung volumes (end expiratory lung volume and end inspiratory lung volume; EELV and EILV) during exercise, with an exploratory aim to assess differences in the above measures between exercise modalities. EFL has been shown to occur in several other subgroups but has never been studied in pregnant individuals. We followed one 35-year-old pregnant subject throughout her pregnancy, completing exercise and pulmonary testing every other week from 8 weeks gestation to 38 weeks gestation, and once again ~8 weeks postpartum. Testing was completed on both the treadmill and cycle ergometer. Results show that EFL did occur for our subject throughout pregnancy on both the treadmill and bike. On the treadmill, EFL showed increased presence at lower absolute workloads as the pregnancy progressed. On the bike, EFL was most prevalent and severe during trimester 2 (TM2), and the reason for this is unclear. No relation was seen between EFL presence and EELV or EILV for either exercise modality.
Included in
Maternal and Child Health Commons, Pulmonology Commons, Sports Sciences Commons, Women's Health Commons
