Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine if muscle strength influences the hyperemic response to dynamic exercise. Men with low (n=8) and high (n=9) maximal forearm strength performed dynamic handgrip exercise as the same absolute workload increased in a ramp function (0.5 kg/min). Forearm blood flow (FBF) was measured instantaneously by ultrasound Doppler and blood pressure was measured by auscultation. The pressor response to exercise was greater (P<0.05) for low strength men at workloads >1.5 kg allowing volumetric FBF (ml/min) and vascular conductance to increase in proportion to absolute workload similar to high strength men. When FBF was expressed relative to forearm volume (ml/min•100 ml−1) the hyperemic response to exercise (slope of relative FBF vs. workload) was greater in low strength men (3.2 +/- 1.5 vs. 1.7 +/- 0.4 ml/min•100 ml/kg, P<0.05) as was relative FBF at workloads >1.5 kg. However, when relative FBF was compared across relative work intensity, no difference was found between low and high strength groups. Together, these findings suggest men with low strength require a greater pressor response to match blood flow to exercise intensity as compared to high strength men. Verf.-Referat