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Sympathoadrenal and parasympathetic responses to exercise.
Journal of Sports Sciences
|January 1, 1986
Summary
Intense exercise boosts sympathetic nervous system activity and also triggers sustained vagal nerve activity post-exertion. This persistent vagal response may explain feelings of weakness after strenuous physical activity.
Area of Science:
- Exercise Physiology
- Autonomic Nervous System Research
Background:
- Exhaustive exercise often leads to post-exertion weakness and nausea.
- These symptoms suggest potential involvement of the abdominal vagal nerve activity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate plasma levels of sympathoadrenal and vagal activity markers.
- To correlate these physiological responses with sensations experienced after exercise.
Main Methods:
- Measured plasma catecholamines (adrenaline, noradrenaline, dopamine) and pancreatic polypeptide.
- Collected samples before, during, and after submaximal and maximal exercise in healthy young adults.
Main Results:
- Plasma adrenaline, noradrenaline, and dopamine significantly increased during maximal exercise.
- Pancreatic polypeptide levels elevated specifically after maximal exertion, indicating sustained vagal activity.
- Sympathetic markers returned to baseline within 15 minutes of rest.
Conclusions:
- Exercise increases sympathetic nervous system activity.
- Persistent vagal activity after intense exercise may contribute to post-exertion weakness.
- Autonomic nervous system responses are key to understanding exercise physiology.