European journal of applied physiology
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Eur. J. Appl. Physiol. · Apr 2012
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyEffect of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation on muscle metaboreflex in healthy young and older subjects.
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) increases local blood flow. It is not known whether increase in blood flow may be caused by inhibition of sympathetic activity, mediated by muscle metaboreflex activity. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of TENS on metaboreflex activation and heart rate variability (HRV) in young and older individuals. ⋯ TENS: 5 ± 3, P < 0.01). HRV analysis showed similar improvement in sympatho-vagal balance with TENS in young and older individuals. We conclude that application of TENS attenuates blood pressure and vasoconstrictor responses during exercise and metaboreflex activation, associated with improved sympatho-vagal balance in healthy young and older individuals.
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Eur. J. Appl. Physiol. · Mar 2012
Clinical TrialOxygen uptake efficiency plateau: physiology and reference values.
The relationship of oxygen uptake [Formula: see text] to ventilation [Formula: see text], i.e., oxygen uptake efficiency (OUE) is known to differ between normal subjects and patients with congestive heart failure. However, only the oxygen uptake efficiency slope (OUES, i.e., slope of [Formula: see text] has previously been reported. To understand the physiology and to improve the usefulness of OUE in assessing cardiovascular function, we analyzed the complete response pattern of OUE during entire incremental exercise tests and ascertained effect of age, body size, gender, fitness, and ergometer type on exercise OUE to generate reference values in normal healthy subjects. ⋯ Extreme fitness has a minimal effect on OUEP. OUEP is advantageous, since it measures maximal oxygen extraction from ventilated air but does not require high intensity exercise. The OUEP is a non-invasive parameter dependent only on age, gender, height, and cardiovascular health.
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Eur. J. Appl. Physiol. · Feb 2012
ReviewVenous gas embolism as a predictive tool for improving CNS decompression safety.
A key process in the pathophysiological steps leading to decompression sickness (DCS) is the formation of inert gas bubbles. The adverse effects of decompression are still not fully understood, but it seems reasonable to suggest that the formation of venous gas emboli (VGE) and their effects on the endothelium may be the central mechanism leading to central nervous system (CNS) damage. Hence, VGE might also have impact on the long-term health effects of diving. ⋯ We observed that NO reduced VGE during decompression, and pharmacological blocking of NO production increased VGE formation following a dive. The importance of micro-nuclei for the formation of VGE and how it can be possible to manipulate the formation of VGE are discussed together with the effects of VGE on the organism. In the last part of the review we introduce our thoughts for the future, and how the enigma of DCS should be approached.
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Eur. J. Appl. Physiol. · Feb 2012
Acute and chronic loading of sodium bicarbonate in highly trained swimmers.
In the present study, 200-m swim time in highly trained male swimmers was measured on two consecutive days (Trial 1 and Trial 2) and under three conditions [(1) acute loading, AcL; (2) chronic loading, ChL; (3) Placebo, PLA]. No sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO(3)) was administered between Trial 1 and Trial 2 under each condition. ⋯ We did not observe any difference in blood [La(-)] between the three conditions at any stage post-exercise (P > 0.05). The results indicate that acute and chronic loading of NaHCO(3) does not improve 200-m swim time in highly trained male swimmers.