Aging of the respiratory system

Seung Hun Lee; Su Jin Yim; Ho Cheol Kim

doi:10.7180/kmj.2016.31.1.11

Articles

Page Path: HOME > Kosin Med J > Volume 31(1); 2016 > Article

Review Article Aging of the respiratory system: Seung Hun Lee, Su Jin Yim, Ho Cheol Kim; Kosin Medical Journal 2016;31(1):11-18.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.7180/kmj.2016.31.1.11
Published online: February 4, 2016

Department of Internal Medicine, Gyeongsang National University School of Medicine, Jinju-si, Gyeongsangnam-do, Korea

Corresponding Author: Ho Cheol Kim, Research Building No.205, Gyeongsang National University School of Medicine, 79, Gangnam-ro, Jinju-si, Gyeongsangnam-do, 52727, Korea Tel: +82-55-750-8684 Fax: +82-55-750-8618 E-mail: hochkim@gnu.ac.kr

• Received: January 8, 2016 • Revised: January 8, 2016 • Accepted: January 11, 2016

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

7,646 Views
431 Download
21 Crossref

prev next

Full Article

Download PDF

Abstract
References

Abstract

Changes in the respiratory system caused by aging generally include structural changes in the thoracic cage and lung parenchyma, abnormal findings on lung function tests, ventilation and gas exchange abnormalities, decreased exercise capacity, and reduced respiratory muscle strength. Decreased respiratory system compliance caused by reduced elastic recoil of the lung parenchymaand thoracic cage is related to decreased energy expenditure by the respiratory system. Lung function, as measured by 1-second forced expiratory volume and forced vital capacity (FVC), decreases with age, whereas total lung capacity remains unchanged. FVC decreases because of increased residual volume and diffusion capacity also decreases. Increased physiological dead space and ventilation/perfusion imbalance may reduce blood oxygen levels and increase the alveolar-arterial oxygen difference. More than 20% decrease in diaphragmstrength is thought to beassociated withaging-related muscle atrophy. Ventilation per minute remains unchanged, and blood carbon dioxide concentration does not increase with aging. However, responses to hypoxia and hypercapnia are decreased. Exercise capacity also decreases, and maximum oxygen consumption decreases by >1%/year. Consequence of these changes, many respiratory diseases occur with aging. Thus, it is important to recognize these aging-related respiratory system changes.
Keywords: Key Words; Aging; Respiratory system

References

1. Estenne M, Yernault JC, De Troyer A. Rib cage and diaphragm-abdomen compliance in humans: effects of age and posture. J Appl Physiol 1985;59:1842–8.Article PubMed
2. Enright PL, Kronmal RA, Manolio TA, Schenker MB, Hyatt RE. Respiratory muscle strength in the elderly. Correlates and reference values. Cardiovascular Health Study Research Group. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 1994;149:430–8.Article PubMed
3. Tockman MS. Aging of the respiratory system 1994;499–507.
4. Zeleznik J. Normative aging of the respiratory system. Clin Geriatr Med 2003;19:1–18.Article PubMed
5. Verbeken EK, Cauberghs M, Mertens I, Clement J, Lauweryns JM, Van de Woestijne KP. The senile lung; Comparison with normal and emphysematous lungs. 1. Structural aspects. Chest 1992;101:793–9.Article PubMed
6. Stocks J, Quanjer PH. Reference values for residual volume, functional residual capacity and total lung capacity: ATS Workshop on Lung Volume Measurements Official Statement of the European Respiratory Society. Eur Respir J 1995;8:492–506.Article PubMed
7. Janssens JP. Aging of the respiratory system: Impact on pulmonary function tests and adaptation to exertion. Clin Chest Med 2005;26:469–84.Article PubMed
8. Meyer KC. Aging. Proc Am Thorac Soc 2005;2:433–9.Article PubMed
9. Sprung J, Gajic O, Warner DO. Review article: Age related alterations in respiratory function – Anesthetic considerations. Can J Anaesth 2006;53:1244–57.Article PubMed
10. Stanojevic S, Wade A, Stocks J, Hankinson J, Coates AL, Pan H, et al. Reference ranges for spirometry across all ages: A new approach. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2008;177:253–60.Article PubMed
11. Colloca G, Santoro M, Gambassi G. Age-related physiologic changes and perioperative management of elderly patients. Surg Oncol 2010;19:124–30.Article PubMed
12. Burrows B, Lebowitz MD, Camilli AE, Knudson RJ. Longitudinal changes in forced expiratory volume in one second in adults. Methodologic considerations and findings in healthy nonsmokers. Am Rev Respir Dis 1986;133:974–80.PubMed
13. Kerstjens HAM, Rijcken B, Scheuten JP, Postma DS. Decline of FEV1 by age and smoking status: Facts, figures, and fallacies. Thorax 1997;52:820–7.Article PubMed PMC
14. McClaran SR, Babcock MA, Pegelow DF, Reddan WG, Dempsey JA. Longitudinal effects of aging on lung function at rest and exercise in healthy active fit elderly adults. J Appl Physiol (1985) 1995;78:1957–68.Article PubMed
15. Niewoehner DE, Kleinerman J. Morphologic basis of pulmonary resistance in the human lung and effects of aging. J Appl Physiol (1985) 1974;36:412–8.Article
16. Stam H, Hrachovina V, Stijnen T, Versprille A. Diffusing capacity dependent on lung volume and age in normal subjects. J Appl Physiol (1985) 1994;76:2356–63.Article PubMed
17. Holland J, Milic-Emili J, Macklem PT, Bates DV. Regional distribution of pulmonary ventilation and perfusion in elderly subjects. J Clin Invest 1968;47:81–92.Article PubMed PMC
18. Miller RM, Tenney SM. Dead space ventilation in old age. J Appl Physiol 1956;9:321–7.Article PubMed
19. Tolep K, Kelsen SG. Effect of aging on respiratory skeletal muscles. Clin Chest Med 1993;14:363–78.Article PubMed
20. Kwak H, Kim SB. Aging and Sarcopenia. J Korean Geriatr Soc 2007;11:55–9.
21. McElvaney G, Blackie S, Morrison NJ, Wilcox PG, Fairbarn MS, Pardy RL. Maximal static respiratory pressures in the normal elderly. Am Rev Respir Dis 1989;139:277–81.Article PubMed
22. Arora NS, Rochester DF. Respiratory muscle strength and maximal voluntary ventilation in un-dernourished patients. Am Rev Respir Dis 1982;126:5–8.PubMed
23. Polkey MI, Harris ML, Hughes PD, Hamnegä rd CH, Lyons D, Green M, et al. The contractile properties of the elderly human diaphragm. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 1997;155:1560–4.Article PubMed
24. De Troyer A, Kirkwood PA, Wilson TA. Respiratory action of the intercostalis muscles. Physiol Rev 2005;85:717–56.PubMed
25. Enright PL, Adams AB, Boyle PJ, Sherrill DL. Spirometry and maximal respiratory pressure references from healthy Minnesota 65-to 85-ye-ar-old women and men. Chest 1995;108:663–9.Article PubMed
26. Peterson DD, Pack AI, Silage DA, Fishman AP. Effects of aging on ventilatory and occlusion pressure responses to hypoxia and hypercapnia. Am Rev Respir Dis 1981;124:387–91.PubMed
27. Kronenberg RS, Drage CW. Attenuation of the ventilatory and heart rate responses to hypoxia and hypercapnia with aging in normal men. J Clin Invest 1973;52:1812–9.Article PubMed PMC
28. Poulin MJ, Cunningham DA, Paterson DH, Kowalchuk JM, Smith WD. Ventilatory sensitivity to CO2 in hyperoxia and hypoxia in older aged humans. J Appl Physiol (1985) 1993;75:2209–16.Article PubMed
29. Canning BJ. Encoding of the cough reflex. Pulm Pharmacol Ther 2007;20:396–401.Article PubMed
30. Newnham DM, Hamilton SJ. Sensitivity of the cough reflex in young and elderly subjects. Age Ageing 1997;26:185–8.Article PubMed

Figure & Data

References

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Do obstructive and restrictive pulmonary disorders increase the incidence risk of dynapenia in adults aged 50 and older?
Thales Batista de Souza, Roberta de Oliveira Máximo, Isabella Letícia de Pádua Cruz e Souza, Thaís Barros Pereira da Silva, Mariane Marques Luiz, Sara Souza Lima, Natália Cochar-Soares, Leticia Coelho Silveira, Valdete Regina Guandalini, Patrícia Silva To
Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics.2025; 130: 105701. CrossRef
Sex and gender differences during the lung lifespan: unveiling a pivotal impact
Pasquale Tondo, Claudia Meschi, Marco Mantero, Giulia Scioscia, Matteo Siciliano, Matteo Bradicich, Giulia M. Stella
European Respiratory Review.2025; 34(175): 240121. CrossRef
Cut-off Value of Anthropometric Indices for the Prediction of Pulmonary Function and Risk Factors Among the Chiru Tribe of Manipur
Hosea Thanglen, Urapam Zimik, Ramthar Thanglen
The Oriental Anthropologist: A Bi-annual International Journal of the Science of Man.2024; 24(2): 229. CrossRef
Effects of trunk muscle strength training on lung function in healthy runners
Yuki NAKAI, Yasufumi TAKESHITA
The Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness.2024;[Epub] CrossRef
Longitudinal Relationship Between Physical Activity Levels and Respiratory Function in Older Individuals : A Longitudinal Study
Makoto Suzuki, Takaaki Ikeda
Journal of Comprehensive Nursing Research and Care.2024;[Epub] CrossRef
The Functional Capacity of the Upper Airway in Older Adults with Chronic Stroke
Esther Prados-Román, Mónica Zapata-Soria, Irene Cabrera-Martos, Geraldine Valenza-Peña, Andrés Calvache-Mateo, Javier Martín-Núñez, Marie Carmen Valenza
Geriatrics.2024; 9(6): 140. CrossRef
Spirographic study of functional reserves of masters’ athletes in track-and field
Iryna Ivanyshyn, Ihor Vypasniak, Yurii Ivanyshyn, Roman Boichuk, Oleh Vintoniak, Dmytro Tretiak
Pedagogy of Physical Culture and Sports.2024; 28(6): 468. CrossRef
Turkish Adaptation, Validity and Reliability Study of Treatment Burden Questionnaire in Geriatric Patients
Figen AKAY, Tuba ERYİĞİT, Mehmet Fatih ÖS, Kamile SILAY, Güler Balcı ALPARSLAN
Turkish journal of Geriatrics.2024; : 178. CrossRef
Prediction of Lung Function Status Using Handgrip Strength and Anthropometry among the Healthy Malay Population in Malaysia
Mohd Hasni Ja’afar, Rosnah Ismail, Noor Hassim Ismail, Zaleha Md Isa, Azmi Mohd Tamil, Nafiza Mat Nasir, Tengku Saifudin Tengku Ismail, Nurul Hafiza Ab Razak, Najihah Zainol Abidin, MyLinh Duong, Khairul Hazdi Yusof
Healthcare.2023; 11(7): 1056. CrossRef
Activities of Daily Living and Related Factors in Elderly Patients with Pulmonary Disease Preparing for Discharge
Hyunwoo Jeong, Sanghee Kim, Mona Choi, Eui Geum Oh
Korean Journal of Adult Nursing.2022; 34(4): 391. CrossRef
Aging, inflammaging and immunosenescence as risk factors of severe COVID-19
Anteneh Mehari Tizazu, Hylemariam Mihiretie Mengist, Gebreselassie Demeke
Immunity & Ageing.2022;[Epub] CrossRef
Determinants of dynamic inspiratory muscle strength in healthy trained elderly
A Roldán, A Forte, P Monteagudo, A Cordellat, J Monferrer-Marín, C Blasco-Lafarga
Postgraduate Medicine.2021; 133(7): 807. CrossRef
Comparison of Voice-Related Quality of Life for the Elderly with and without Voice Disorders According to Genders by Aging Voice Index-Korean Version
Hwa-Young Pyo, Jae-Yol Lim, Sung-Eun Lim, Seung Jin Lee
Communication Sciences & Disorders.2021; 26(4): 933. CrossRef
Age‐related changes in cerebrovascular health and their effects on neural function and cognition: A comprehensive review
Benjamin Zimmerman, Bart Rypma, Gabriele Gratton, Monica Fabiani
Psychophysiology.2021;[Epub] CrossRef
Yaşlılarda Ortaya Çıkan Fizyolojik Değişiklikler
Ali AĞAR
Ordu Üniversitesi Hemşirelik Çalışmaları Dergisi.2020; 3(3): 347. CrossRef
Perubahan Fungsi Paru Pada Usia Tua
Helmia Hasan, Rena Arusita Maranatha
Jurnal Respirasi.2019; 3(2): 52. CrossRef
Possibilities of modern anesthetic management of laparoscopic cholecystectomy in elderly patients
O. V. Bielykh
Problems of Uninterrupted Medical Training and Science.2019; 2019(2): 84. CrossRef
Beneficial Effects of Inspiratory Muscle Training Combined With Multicomponent Training in Elderly Active Women
Ainoa Roldán, Ana Cordellat, Pablo Monteagudo, Consolación García-Lucerga, Nieves M. Blasco-Lafarga, Mª Carmen Gomez-Cabrera, Cristina Blasco-Lafarga
Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport.2019; 90(4): 547. CrossRef
Factors Affecting Lung Function: A Review of the Literature
Alejandro Talaminos Barroso, Eduardo Márquez Martín, Laura María Roa Romero, Francisco Ortega Ruiz
Archivos de Bronconeumología (English Edition).2018; 54(6): 327. CrossRef
Factores que afectan a la función pulmonar: una revisión bibliográfica
Alejandro Talaminos Barroso, Eduardo Márquez Martín, Laura María Roa Romero, Francisco Ortega Ruiz
Archivos de Bronconeumología.2018; 54(6): 327. CrossRef
Normal aging: definition and physiologic changes
Chul Ho Chang, Ki-Young Lee, Yon Hee Shim
Journal of the Korean Medical Association.2017; 60(5): 358. CrossRef

PubReader
ePub Link
Cite

CITE

export Copy Format

Close

Download Citation

Download Citation

Download a citation file in RIS format that can be imported by all major citation management software, including EndNote, ProCite, RefWorks, and Reference Manager.

Format:

RIS — For EndNote, ProCite, RefWorks, and most other reference management software
BibTeX — For JabRef, BibDesk, and other BibTeX-specific software

Include:

Citation for the content below
Citation and abstract for the content below

Aging of the respiratory system

Kosin Med J. 2016;31(1):11-18. Published online February 4, 2016

DOI: https://doi.org/10.7180/kmj.2016.31.1.11

XML Download

Aging of the respiratory system