Unanesthetized decorticate cats walked or ran normally on a treadmill either spontaneously or during electrical stimulation of the subthalamic "locomotor" region. The respiratory response usually preceded the locomotor response and increased in proportion to locomotor activity despite control or ablation of respiratory feedback mechanisms. Respiration increased similarly in paralyzed animals during fictive locomotion despite the absence of muscular contraction or movement. Hypothalamic command signals are thus primarily responsible for the proportional driving of locomotion and respiration during exercise.

The sections in this article are: Respiration Circulation Central Command Mechanisms Central Drive of Locomotion Locomotor Pattern Generator Supraspinal Locomotor Sites Central Command Control of Respiration and Circulation in Animals Cerebral Cortex Hypothalamic Locomotor Region Mesencephalic Locomotor Region Amygdala Awake, Exercising Animal Studies Short‐Term Potentiation Respiration Central Command Control of Respiration and Circulation in Humans Respiration Circulation Interactions Between Central Command and Peripheral Feedback Interaction of Central Command with Cardiorespiratory Reflexes Baroreceptor Reflex Hering‐Breuer Reflex Chemoreceptor Reflexes Conclusions

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