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Arterial distensibility: acute changes following dynamic exercise in normal subjects
Katerina K Naka1, Ann C Tweddel, Dimitris Parthimos
1Department of Cardiology, Cardiovascular Sciences Research Group, Wales Heart Research Institute, University of Wales College of Medicine, Heath Park, Cardiff CF14 4XN, United Kingdom.
American Journal of Physiology. Heart and Circulatory Physiology
|November 16, 2002
Summary
Treadmill exercise acutely alters large artery distensibility, primarily due to vascular tone changes, not blood pressure. This study reveals complex vasomotor control mechanisms influencing pulse wave velocity recovery.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Physiology
- Exercise Physiology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Acute changes in large artery distensibility post-exercise are not fully understood.
- Existing methods may not adequately isolate vascular tone effects from blood pressure variations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the time course of acute changes in large artery distensibility following maximal treadmill exercise.
- To investigate the role of vascular tone in post-exercise pulse wave velocity (PWV) changes.
- To model the underlying mechanisms governing vasomotor control.
Main Methods:
- Simultaneous measurement of upper and lower limb pulse wave velocity (PWV) using a novel oscillometric technique.
- Assessment of PWV changes independent of blood pressure fluctuations.
- Mathematical modeling of PWV dynamics using coupled linear differential equations.
Main Results:
- Large artery distensibility acutely changes post-exercise, with distinct patterns in upper and lower limbs.
- Observed PWV changes are primarily attributed to vascular tone shifts, including recovery from exercise-induced constriction and local vasodilation.
- Blood pressure, heart rate, and viscosity changes inadequately explain the observed PWV dynamics.
Conclusions:
- Post-exercise arterial distensibility is modulated by complex vascular tone regulation.
- A minimal order model (n=1 for upper limb, n=2 for lower limb) adequately describes these dynamics.
- The findings suggest entrainment among interactive mechanisms governing vasomotor control.