Novel wireless laser doppler flowmeter-based investigation of earlobe vascular dynamics in cardiopulmonary exercise...

[Purpose] A new wireless laser Doppler blood flowmeter has facilitated easier, more stable measurement of skin perfusion during exercise. However, earlobe blood flow during the cardiopulmonary exercise test remains unascertained. This study aimed to clarify the characteristics of earlobe blood flow during incremental exercise load in healthy individuals. [Participants and Methods] Among 25 healthy males (age 23.6 ± 2.5 years), cycle ergometer-based symptom-limited cardiopulmonary exercise test, after 4 minutes of rest, was conducted with a 4-minute 20W warm-up and a continuous 2W-increase in the work rate every 6 seconds; earlobe blood flow was measured using a wireless laser Doppler blood flowmeter. [Results] Compared with that at rest, earlobe blood flow increased significantly from 50% of exercise peak intensity to a maximum of 1.7 times, but decreased immediately after exercise. The earlobe blood flow %change did not significantly correlate with hemodynamic parameters and its inflection point 36.4% Load_peak was significantly lower than the anaerobic metabolic threshold 58.1% Load_peak. [Conclusion] In healthy participants, earlobe blood flow during cardiopulmonary exercise test increased gradually with low-intensity exercise from approximately 1.5 times the resting rate and approached the anaerobic metabolic threshold with a maximum of 1.7 times the resting earlobe blood flow, but decreased quickly after exercise.