Perception of added airflow resistance in humans

Abstract

Detection of added airflow resistance was measured in various conditions with human subjects and thresholds for perception of resistances compared. Thresholds for perception were markedly different in some conditions of the experiments when expressed in terms of the absolute amount of resistance added. However, when thresholds were expressed in terms of the ratio of added resistance to initial resting resistance, perception thresholds were shown to be constant for the various conditions of measurement. The constant relationship of added resistance to initial resistance at threshold perception for the various conditions of this study suggested the applicability of Weber's Law to perception of added airflow resistance. This would mean thresholds for perception of added airflow resistance show a similar relationship to thresholds for perception of other sensory modalities.