Low-volume strength and endurance training prevent the decrease in exercise hyperemia induced by non-dominant forearm immobilization.

We examined the effect of 3-week upper limb immobilization on conduit artery cross-sectional area and peak hyperemia (BF(peak)) after exhaustive dynamic handgrip exercise (Ex(dyn)), and that of low-volume strength and endurance training during immobilization. Healthy volunteers (n = 21; mean age, 22 years) were divided into 3 groups: immobilization only (IMM; n = 7), immobilization with training (STR + END; n = 7), and control (no immobilization or training, CNT; n = 7). Endurance training comprised Ex(dyn) at 30% maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) (duration of each session, ~60 s; twice weekly). Strength training involved intermittent isometric handgrip exercise at 70% MVC (duration of each session, 40 s; twice weekly), repeated 10 times. We used ultrasound methods to measure the brachial artery cross-sectional area and the BF(peak) after Ex(dyn) for 5 min pre- and post-immobilization. We found a significant group by time interaction in BF(peak) (p < 0.05). A significant decrease was found in BF(peak) in the IMM (p < 0.05) between pre- and post-immobilization and a protective effect in the STR + END. The 3-week upper limb immobilization did not influence the baseline artery cross-sectional area. In conclusion, BF(peak) decreased after 3-week upper limb immobilization and a combination of strength training and endurance training preserved the blunted BF(peak).

Blood flow and arterial vessel diameter change during graded handgrip exercise in dominant and non-dominant forearms of tennis players.

The training effect on exercise-induced maximal blood flow remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to clarify the difference of exercise-induced blood flow, blood flow velocity and vessel diameter of brachial artery in dominant and non-dominant forearms of tennis players during graded hand-grip exercise. Ten female tennis players aged 20.1 +/- 0.1 years. (mean +/- SD) performed 30-s static handgrip exercise in the supine position with either the dominant or non-dominant hand by increasing load at 30-s intervals until exhaustion. Brachial arterial blood flow velocity (Doppler ultrasound method) did not differ between both limbs, whereas the vessel diameter (2-D method) was significantly larger in the dominant limb during diastole both at baseline (p < 0.01) and after exercise (p < 0.05), but no difference was found during systole. As a result, the blood flow was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the dominant limb during post-exercise condition. Muscle thickness of the forearm muscles and maximal handgrip strength were significantly higher in the dominant limb. Thus, the effect of training on exercise-induced blood flow specific to the dominant limb was confirmed during post-exercise due to the enlarged vessel diameter during diastole of cardiac cycle. The dimensional change in the vasculature specific to the dominant side will be included in the training effects associated with the dimensional muscular changes in the dominant forearm.

Low-volume muscular endurance and strength training during 3-week forearm immobilization was effective in preventing functional deterioration.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine whether endurance and strength hand grip exercises during 3-week upper limb immobilization preserve muscle oxidative capacity, endurance performance and strength. METHODS: Ten healthy adult men underwent non-dominant forearm immobilization by plaster cast for 21 days. Five healthy adult subjects were designated as the immobilization (IMM) group and five were designated as the immobilization + training (IMM+TRN) group. Grip strength, forearm circumference, dynamic handgrip endurance and muscle oxygenation response were measured before and after the 21 day immobilization period. Using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), muscle oxygen consumption recovery (VO2mus) was recorded after a submaximal exercise and the recovery time constant (TcVO2mus) was calculated. Reactive hyperemic oxygenation recovery was evaluated after 5 minutes ischemia. Two training programs were performed by the IMM+TRN group twice a week. One exercise involved a handgrip exercise at 30% maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) at a rate of 1 repetition per 1 second until exhaustion (about 60 seconds). The other involved a handgrip exercise at 70% MVC for 2 seconds with a 2 second rest interval, repeated 10 times (40 seconds). RESULTS: There was a significant group-by-time interaction between the IMM and IMM+TRN groups in the TcVO2mus (p = 0.032, F = 6.711). A significant group-by-time interaction was observed between the IMM and IMM+TRN groups in the MVC (p = 0.001, F = 30.415) and in grip endurance (p = 0.014, F = 9.791). No significant group-by-time interaction was seen in forearm circumference and reactive hyperemic oxygenation response either in IMM or IMM+TRN group. CONCLUSION: The training programs during immobilization period used in this experiment were effective in preventing a decline in muscle oxidative function, endurance and strength.

Exercise-induced blood flow in relation to muscle relaxation period.

BACKGROUND: Dynamic exercise is characterized by relaxation periods between contractions. The relaxation period should be considered as a causal factor for determining the magnitude of blood flow during dynamic exercise. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of muscle relaxation periods determined by the response of each subject on the exercise-induced blood flow response. METHODS: Seven healthy female subjects performed dynamic plantar flexions twice in succession; the duration of each flexion was 1-s and they were performed at an intensity of 15%, 30% and 50% of the maximal voluntary contraction (MVC). Based on the blood flow response after a single contraction, we set up intervals between two successive contractions; the intervals corresponded to 50% (pre-Tpeak), 100% (Tpeak), and 150% (post-Tpeak) of the time required to reach peak blood flow. RESULTS: In all the conditions, upon cessation of the contraction, there was a progressive, beat-by-beat increase in the blood flow through the popliteal artery that peaked by the 5th cardiac cycle. Peak values of blood flow achieved after exercise were significantly higher at pre-Tpeak than at Tpeak and post-Tpeak (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The result indicate that at three intervals based on the time taken to reach the peak value, the highest blood flow value was obtained at the pre-Tpeak interval.

Increases in blood flow and shear stress to nonworking limbs during incremental exercise.

PURPOSE: Regular exercise augments endothelium-dependent vasodilatory capacity in the vasculature located in the nonworking limbs. We determined whether blood flow as well as shear stress would change in inactive limbs during acute incremental exercise. METHODS: Eight young healthy female subjects performed graded exercise on arm and leg cycle ergometers that had been modified to minimize the movement of nonworking limbs and to facilitate the placement of Doppler transducers. Both brachial and femoral blood flow was monitored using Doppler ultrasonography. EMG activity was also measured to document that there was no muscular activity in nonworking muscles. RESULTS: During leg exercise, brachial blood flow and calculated shear stress gradually and curvilinearly increased (P < 0.05). At the peak work rate, there was an approximately fourfold increase in blood flow in the brachial artery (19 +/- 6 vs 77 +/- 16 mL x min(-1)). Femoral blood flow and calculated shear stress increased progressively and linearly during arm exercise (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: We concluded that blood flow to the nonworking limbs increases markedly in proportion to the work intensity. These results suggest that the conduit arteries in the nonworking limbs are exposed to increases in blood flow and shear stress during exercise.