We have measured the normalized maximal relaxation rate (MRR, % pressure loss/10 ms) of esophageal and transdiaphragmatic pressures in five normal subjects who performed unoccluded shifts from FRC, with the peak pressure varying between 10 and 100% of each subject's maximum. MRR was computed as the maximal rate of decay of pressure divided by the peak pressure, with units of %pressure loss/10 ms. We observed that MRR became progressively faster as sniff peak pressure increased in amplitude above 10% maximum. In four subjects this trend was most marked for sniffs of less than 40% maximal pressure, with little change as peak pressure increased further. In a fifth subject this trend continued across the full range of pressure. Thus, MRR may be an effort-dependent variable during voluntary inspiratory maneuvers. We postulate that sniff MRR becomes faster with increasing peak pressure because of progressive activation of fast-twitch type II muscle fibers. The findings of this study suggest that erroneous conclusions about the significance of slowing of sniff MRR with fatigue may be made if MRR is determined from voluntary efforts with a peak pressure of less than 60% of control maximum, as may occur with fatigue.