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Published on: February 20, 2018
Nitric oxide and muscle blood flow in exercise
Michael E Tschakovsky1, Michael J Joyner
1School of Kinesiology and Health Studies, Queen's University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6. mt29@queensu.ca
Summary
Nitric oxide plays a modest role in regulating blood flow during exercise. Further research is needed to understand its integrated control within complex physiological mechanisms.
Area of Science:
- Exercise Physiology
- Cardiovascular Regulation
- Skeletal Muscle Metabolism
Background:
- Muscle blood flow control during exercise is complex and not fully understood.
- Nitric oxide (NO) is a potential vasodilator involved in regulating vascular tone.
- Its precise contribution to exercise hyperemia requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of nitric oxide in skeletal muscle vasodilation during exercise.
- To assess NO's contribution to steady-state exercise hyperemia.
- To examine NO's role in dynamic exercise hyperemia and sympathetic vasoconstriction modulation.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on nitric oxide's function in exercise hyperemia.
- Analysis of studies investigating NO's impact on muscle resistance vessels.
- Synthesis of evidence regarding NO's involvement in different aspects of exercise blood flow control.
Main Results:
- Nitric oxide's obligatory role in steady-state and dynamic exercise hyperemia appears modest.
- Its contribution to modulating sympathetic vasoconstriction in exercising muscle is also limited.
- Evidence suggests NO is not the sole or primary driver of exercise-induced vasodilation.
Conclusions:
- The overall contribution of nitric oxide to exercise hyperemia is likely modest.
- Integrated control mechanisms involving synergy and redundancy are crucial for exercise blood flow.
- More research is essential to fully elucidate the complex interplay of factors regulating muscle blood flow during exercise.
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