To understand the influence of gender on oxygen consumption of respiratory muscles (VO(2)resp), 32 healthy subjects participated in the study (16 males, 16 females). They were divided into four groups: young males, young females, older males and older females. We used a closed circuit device which allowed a continuous increase in external dead space at a constant rate of 300 ml per 90 s and was equipped with a 9-L Gould spirometer filled with 100 % O(2). As log VO(2)tot (total body O(2) consumption) was linearly related to VE, we calculated the slope value (log VO(2)tot/VE) and the Y-intercept (VE = 0) of the semilog regression, representing the increase of VO(2)resp and log VO(2)met (metabolic O(2) consumption). The main results showed that the mean of the individual slope Delta(logVO(2)tot/VE) was steeper in the females than in the males in young and also in older subjects. In addition, VO(2)met in young and older females was lower compared with that in age-matched males. Therefore, we conclude that the oxygen cost of breathing was higher in females versus males subjects.