Cold air exposure significantly alters ventilatory patterns during light-to-moderate physical activity, with increased ventilation at 0°C primarily mediated by increases in tidal volume rather than breathing frequency.
Key Findings
Results
Minute ventilation (VE) was significantly higher at 0°C compared to both warmer conditions during the final exercise stage.
VE was higher at 0°C compared to 10°C with a mean difference of +2.08 L·min-1 (p < 0.001)
VE was higher at 0°C compared to 20°C with a mean difference of +1.62 L·min-1 (p < 0.001)
Measurements were taken during five 20-min treadmill walking bouts simulating light-to-moderate occupational work demands
Study used a randomized, crossover design with 14 healthy adults (3 females; age: 24 ± 6 years)
Results
The increased minute ventilation at 0°C was primarily driven by significant increases in tidal volume (Vt) rather than breathing frequency.
Tidal volume at 0°C was significantly higher than at 10°C with a mean difference of +0.11 L (p = 0.002)
Tidal volume at 0°C was significantly higher than at 20°C with a mean difference of +0.13 L (p = 0.002)
Breathing frequency (RR) did not differ significantly between temperature conditions
Results
Ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) did not differ between the three temperature conditions.
RPE was measured across all three environmental conditions (20°C, 10°C, and 0°C)
No significant differences in RPE were found between conditions despite measurable physiological changes in ventilation
Data were analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVA
Results
Heart rate (HR) was modestly affected by environmental temperature.
HR differences between conditions were described as modest rather than absent, distinguishing it from RPE and RR which showed no differences
HR was measured continuously across five 20-min treadmill walking bouts in each condition
The three conditions tested were 20°C, 10°C, and 0°C
Methods
The study design involved 14 healthy adults completing light-to-moderate physical activity across three cold air exposure conditions in a randomized crossover protocol.
Participants included 14 healthy adults, 3 females, with mean age 24 ± 6 years
Each participant completed five 20-min treadmill walking bouts per environmental condition
Three environmental conditions were tested: 20°C, 10°C, and 0°C
A randomized, crossover design was used, and data were analyzed with repeated-measures ANOVA
The protocol was designed to simulate occupational work demands in cold environments
Chapman C, Potter A, Schafer E, Friedl K, Pryor J, Looney D. (2026). Impact of cold air exposure on respiratory physiology during light-to-moderate physical activity in healthy adults.. Physiological reports. https://doi.org/10.14814/phy2.70801