Matching Pairs Factors affect respiratory rateOnline version To help the student to know the factors that affect the respiratory rate by Nursing Empowerment Program 1 Body size 2 Pregnancy 3 Age 4 Environmental Temperature 5 Exercise 6 Emotions Environmental temperature can affect respiration. For example, in hot weather, your body may breathe faster to help cool you down. Generally, larger individuals may have a slower respiratory rate because they have a larger lung capacity. Infants typically have a higher respiratory rate compared to adults. As we age, our respiratory rate tends to decrease. During pregnancy, a woman’s body requires more oxygen for both herself and the developing fetus, which can lead to an increased respiratory rate. Excitement or anxiety increases the respiratory rate as well. This is part of the body’s response to stress, where it prepares for increased activity. During exercise, our muscles need more oxygen, so our respiratory rate increases to meet that demand.
