Effects of Age, Gender, Bolus Volume, and Trial on Swallowing Apnea Duration and Swallow/Respiratory Phase Relationships of Normal Adults

The effects of age, gender, bolus volume, and trial on swallowing apnea duration (SAD) and swallow/respiratory phase relationships were examined. Sixty adults, comprised of ten males and ten females in each of three age groups (i.e., 20 to 39, 40 to 59, and 60 to 83 years), participated. SAD was assessed via nasal airflow during saliva swallows and 10, 15, 20, 25 ml bolus volumes across three trials. Results revealed SAD is consistent across trial (p > .05). Significant main effects of age, gender and bolus volume were found (p .05). Key words: Normal Swallowing - Respiration - Apnea - Deglutition - Duratio