Effect of Pleasant and Unpleasant Odor on Recovery Period after Moderate Exercise by Different Types of Breathing

Abstract

This research examined the effect of different odors and different types of breathing on the recovery period after moderate exercise on bicycle. The subjects were nine healthy college students (male). The experiment was divided into three periods. The first was the baseline period of six minutes during which the students remained seated. During the second period the students exercised for twelve minutes on an exercise bike. In the final period, lasting twelve minutes, the students were seated again during which time they were exposed to a number of different odors. Students' breathing was also varied and checked, the breathing divided into either students' natural breathing cycle, or inhalation through the nose and exhalation through the mouth. Odors rated 'pleasant' by the students did not result in any changes in their respiratory metabolism. However, exposure to unpleasant odors resulted in significant change in the respiratory metabolism during the recovery period. The results of the experiment suggest that the exposure to an unpleasant odor, combined with breathing in through the nose and out through the mouth, had a notable effect on the student's respiratory metabolism.