Recent advances in exercise pressor reflex function in health and disease

Area of Science:

• Exercise physiology
• Autonomic nervous system function
• Cardiovascular regulation

Background:

• Autonomic nervous system adjustments are crucial for exercise, managing cardiac output and arterial pressure.
• The exercise pressor reflex, central command, and baroreflexes are key neural regulators of cardiovascular responses during physical activity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent advancements in understanding exercise pressor reflex function in both healthy individuals and those with cardiovascular diseases.
• To explore the mechanisms underlying altered exercise pressor reflex function in conditions like hypertension, diabetes, and heart failure.

Main Methods:

• Review of current scientific literature and evidence from animal and human studies.
• Analysis of emerging data on differential sympathetic vasoconstrictor control by central command and metaboreflex.
• Examination of mechanisms contributing to altered reflex function in cardiovascular disease states.

Main Results:

• Sympathetic vasoconstrictor drive to skeletal muscles is differentially regulated by central command and metaboreflex in healthy states.
• Cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and heart failure are associated with significant alterations in exercise pressor reflex function.
• Multiple, complex, and multifactorial mechanisms contribute to these alterations, varying with disease etiology.

Conclusions:

• Understanding exercise pressor reflex alterations is vital for managing cardiovascular health during exercise.
• Targeting the mechanisms underlying altered exercise pressor reflex function offers therapeutic potential for cardiovascular events and exercise intolerance.