ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to investigate the differences and effects of positional loading (arm position change) and image loading in Budo (martial arts) competitors, mainly kendo (Japanese fencing) masters. The microcirculatory responses were measured by differential digital photoplethys-mography (ΔDPG) using the characteristics of Budo mental attitude, experience and skill as para-meters.<BR>The subjects were 7 kendo masters of the fifth grade or higher with mean experience of 29 years, 7 kendo athletes, 7 kyudo (Japanese archery) athletes, 5 karate athletes in university sports clubs and 9 middle-aged controls. Positional loading induced myogenic responses and image loading for examining sympathetic effects via the central nervous system on peripheral circulation were mea-sured in the subjects at rest in a sitting position. The following results were obtained<BR>The increase in the . ΔPG-P wave height in response to positional loading was markedly larger in the kendo masters. In particular, the increase when raising the right arm was significantly higher in the kendo masters than in the kyudo and karate athletes (P<0.05) . The decrease in the ΔDPG-P wave height when lowering the right arm was smallest in the kendo masters. There were differences in the peripheral vascular responses between kinds of Budo and levels of skill, which were induced by differences at the time of arm raising.<BR>The DPG-P wave height was significantly lower during stress imaging than before loading in all subjects. The effect of stress imaging was smallest in the kendo masters, and markedly large in the kyudo athletes (P<0.05) . During relaxation imaging, an increase in the ΔDPG-P wave height was observed in the kendo masters alone, and the occurrence of vascular dilation was confirmed.<BR>These results suggest that arteriolar responses of kendo masters are flexible and stable despite their long training period ; and the control and regulation of muscle vascular tone is well-maintained via the central nerve-sympathetic and myogenic coupling.