Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Disorders of the Autonomic Nervous System01:18

Disorders of the Autonomic Nervous System

1.9K
The autonomic nervous system (ANS) is an intricate network of nerves that controls functions such as the regulation of heart rate, digestion, and blood pressure regulation. When this system malfunctions, it can lead to various disorders that affect multiple bodily functions. One common feature of many autonomic disorders is the involvement of smooth blood vessels, which play a crucial role in regulating blood flow throughout the body.
Raynaud's disease, also known as Raynaud's...
1.9K
Exercise and Cardiovascular Response01:20

Exercise and Cardiovascular Response

5.1K
Exercise significantly impacts cardiovascular response, which is crucial for understanding patient health and designing effective treatment plans.
Light to moderate physical activity initiates a series of interconnected responses in the body. The heart rate modestly increases in anticipation of the workout, followed by widespread vasodilation as oxygen consumption by skeletal muscles increases. This results in decreased peripheral resistance, increased capillary blood flow, and accelerated...
5.1K
Sympathetic Activation01:16

Sympathetic Activation

8.4K
The sympathetic division can influence tissues and organs by releasing norepinephrine at peripheral synapses and distributing epinephrine and norepinephrine through the bloodstream. In times of crisis or stress, sympathetic activation occurs, which is regulated by sympathetic centers in the hypothalamus. As a result, sympathetic activation prepares the body for physical exertion, rapid ATP production, and heightened alertness, allowing individuals to respond effectively to challenging or...
8.4K
Exercise and Cardiac Output01:17

Exercise and Cardiac Output

2.6K
Regular physical activity is essential for maintaining cardiovascular health, with aerobic exercises being particularly effective. According to the American Heart Association, 150 minutes of moderate to intense aerobic exercise per week is recommended for a healthy heart. Aerobic activities may include brisk walking, running, bicycling, cross-country skiing, and swimming, ideally performed three to five times per week.
Sustained exercise increases the muscles' oxygen demand, which can be...
2.6K
Pathophysiology of Cardiac Performance01:29

Pathophysiology of Cardiac Performance

1.9K
Typical heart performance is influenced by heart rate, rhythm, myocardial contraction, and metabolism or blood flow. The cardiac muscle exhibits distinct electrophysiological features, including pacemaker activity and calcium channel control, which play a vital role in the heart's response to various drugs. The autonomic nervous system, comprising the sympathetic and parasympathetic branches, regulates heart rate. Sympathetic activation increases heart rate, while parasympathetic activation...
1.9K
Autonomic Nervous System01:22

Autonomic Nervous System

15.7K
The autonomic nervous system (ANS) is a critical component of the peripheral nervous system, primarily responsible for regulating involuntary bodily functions and maintaining homeostasis. It functions in tandem with the central nervous system (CNS) to seamlessly coordinate various physiological processes without the need for conscious control.
The ANS comprises two main divisions: the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions. These divisions function antagonistically to maintain a dynamic...
15.7K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Brachial blood flow and pressure responses are unrelated to the greater isometric handgrip tolerance of females compared to males.

Physiological reports·2026
Same author

Single-beat method echocardiographic comparison of ventricular-arterial coupling in adults with and without Down syndrome.

American journal of physiology. Heart and circulatory physiology·2026
Same author

Association between chronological age and vascular function in adults with and without multiple sclerosis.

Multiple sclerosis and related disorders·2026
Same author

Impaired inactive limb blood flow regulation in adults with multiple sclerosis during sympathoexcitatory stimuli.

Physiological reports·2025
Same author

Acute live firefighting effects on ventricular-arterial coupling and pulsatile afterload in middle-aged firefighters.

Physiological reports·2025
Same author

Repeatability of heart-rate variability and baroreflex sensitivity as metrics of cardiac autonomic function during exercise in young females and males.

European journal of applied physiology·2025

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 29, 2026

Supramaximal Intensity Hypoxic Exercise and Vascular Function Assessment in Mice
10:00

Supramaximal Intensity Hypoxic Exercise and Vascular Function Assessment in Mice

Published on: March 15, 2019

9.0K

Sex differences in autonomic function following maximal exercise.

Rebecca M Kappus1, Sushant M Ranadive2, Huimin Yan3

  • 1Department of Health and Exercise Science, Appalachian State University, 111 Rivers Street, 038 HCC, Boone, NC 28608-2071 USA ; Department of Kinesiology, Nutrition, and Rehabilitation, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL USA.

Biology of Sex Differences
|December 3, 2015
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Females show a more cardioprotective autonomic profile after maximal exercise, with lower resting sympathetic activity and quicker vagal recovery compared to males. Acute exercise reveals significant sex differences in autonomic recovery.

Keywords:
Blood pressure variabilityHeart rate recoveryHeart rate variabilitySympathetic activityVagal modulation

More Related Videos

Conducting Maximal and Submaximal Endurance Exercise Testing to Measure Physiological and Biological Responses to Acute Exercise in Humans
07:26

Conducting Maximal and Submaximal Endurance Exercise Testing to Measure Physiological and Biological Responses to Acute Exercise in Humans

Published on: October 17, 2018

21.6K
Surgical Placement of Catheters for Long-term Cardiovascular Exercise Testing in Swine
12:37

Surgical Placement of Catheters for Long-term Cardiovascular Exercise Testing in Swine

Published on: February 9, 2016

14.0K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Mar 29, 2026

Supramaximal Intensity Hypoxic Exercise and Vascular Function Assessment in Mice
10:00

Supramaximal Intensity Hypoxic Exercise and Vascular Function Assessment in Mice

Published on: March 15, 2019

9.0K
Conducting Maximal and Submaximal Endurance Exercise Testing to Measure Physiological and Biological Responses to Acute Exercise in Humans
07:26

Conducting Maximal and Submaximal Endurance Exercise Testing to Measure Physiological and Biological Responses to Acute Exercise in Humans

Published on: October 17, 2018

21.6K
Surgical Placement of Catheters for Long-term Cardiovascular Exercise Testing in Swine
12:37

Surgical Placement of Catheters for Long-term Cardiovascular Exercise Testing in Swine

Published on: February 9, 2016

14.0K

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Physiology
  • Autonomic Nervous System Function
  • Exercise Physiology

Background:

  • Heart rate variability (HRV), blood pressure variability (BPV), and heart rate recovery (HRR) assess autonomic function.
  • The impact of maximal exercise on autonomic recovery and potential sex differences remain unclear.
  • This study investigated sex-based differences in autonomic function and recovery post-maximal exercise.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine sex differences in autonomic function measures (HRV, BPV, HRR) at rest and after maximal exercise.
  • To elucidate the recovery patterns of autonomic function in males and females following strenuous physical activity.

Main Methods:

  • Seventy-one healthy, sedentary adults (31 males, 40 females) aged 18-35 participated.
  • Measurements of HRV and BPV were taken at rest and post-maximal exercise.
  • HRR was assessed at one and two minutes after maximal exercise.

Main Results:

  • Males exhibited greater HRR, but this difference diminished when accounting for VO2 peak.
  • Males had higher resting BPV-LF; females showed increased BPV-LF post-exercise.
  • Both sexes decreased HRV-LF and HRV-HF with exercise, but females maintained higher HRV-HF post-exercise.
  • Males had a higher resting HRV-LF/HF ratio, which increased in both sexes post-exercise.

Conclusions:

  • Pre-menopausal females possess a cardioprotective autonomic profile compared to males.
  • Females demonstrate lower resting sympathetic activity and faster vagal reactivation post-exercise.
  • Maximal exercise effectively highlights sex-specific differences in autonomic recovery.