Blood flow in the resting forearm during prolonged contralateral isometric handgrip at maximal effort

1. In earlier studies we have shown that muscle contraction performed as handgrip at constant force, one third of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC), induces a rapid vasodilation in the resting contralateral forearm which in all probability is neurogenically mediated, followed by a relative increase in resistance.2. The maintenance of contraction at one third MVC for 2 min requires continuously increasing effort because of fatigue, as also evidence by the e.m.g. The biphasic response of the vascular bed may then be related to the increasing intensity of somatomotor activation which is needed to maintain contraction force, or, alternatively, to differences in vasomotor activity on initiation of and continued muscle activity.3. To elucidate these two possibilities blood flow in the resting forearm was measured during contralateral handgrips at constant maximal effort for 6 min (in which case force will drop) and compared to handgrip at constant force, one third MVC, for 2 min.4. The flow reaction during prolonged contraction at maximal effort was similar to that induced by contraction at constant force with a marked transient lowering of vascular resistance, although maximal vasodilation tended to be more pronounced and occur earlier.5. The results indicate that the rapid decrease in vascular resistance is related primarily to the initiation of somatomotor activity, whereas continued muscle contraction produces a relative increase in vasoconstrictor activity irrespective of changes in contraction effort.