European journal of applied physiology
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Eur. J. Appl. Physiol. · Jun 2002
Clinical TrialAutonomic control of the cardiovascular system during sleep in normal subjects.
The autonomic control of heart rate and blood pressure during sleep is controversial: although it has been reported that vagal activity is more often lower in rapid eye movement sleep (REM) than in other stages of sleep (non-REM, NREM), the opposite has also been described. Initially, it was reported that baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) increases during sleep (REM and NREM), but in later studies, this was only partially confirmed. We therefore studied autonomic control of the cardiovascular (CV) system during sleep in 12 normal adults. ⋯ BRS is frequency dependent: in NREM, the higher value of HF BRS compared to LF BRS favours the HF control of BP variability, whereas higher BRS HF and LF components contribute to the strongest control in REM. BRS variability exhibits no significant pattern during the night. Our results suggest that both sleep-cycle organisation and BRS estimation in the LF and HF bands should be considered in sleep studies of autonomic CV control.
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Eur. J. Appl. Physiol. · Mar 2002
Clinical TrialIndividual factors and physical work load in relation to sensory thresholds in a middle-aged general population sample.
The aim of this study was to explore individual and occupational factors possibly related to sensory thresholds in 484 middle-aged men and women from the general population. Multivariate analyses were performed using a linear model including eight covariates (age, body height, skin temperature, smoking habits, musculoskeletal symptoms during the last week before examination, isometric muscle strength, aerobic capacity, and average physical work load during the last 15 years). ⋯ Significant sex differences were found for the majority of sensory thresholds, that is higher thresholds in men. However, body height was found to be more important than gender for differences in vibration and warm perception thresholds on the foot.
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Eur. J. Appl. Physiol. · Jul 2001
Cardiorespiratory responses to exercise in acute hypoxia, hyperoxia and normoxia.
There is a prevailing hypothesis that an acute change in the fraction of oxygen in inspired air (F(I)O2) has no effect on maximal cardiac output (Qcmax), although maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) and exercise performance do vary along with F(I)O2. We tested this hypothesis in six endurance athletes during progressive cycle ergometer exercise in conditions of hypoxia (FI(O)2 = 0.150), normoxia (F(I)O2 = 0.209) and hyperoxia (F(I)O2=0.320). ⋯ Contrary to the hypothesis, Qcmax was 25.99 (3.37) l.min(-1) in hypoxia (P<0.05 compared to normoxia and hyperoxia), 28.51 (2.36) l.min(-1) in normoxia and 30.13 (2.06)l.min(-1) in hyperoxia. Our results can be interpreted to indicate that (1) the reduction in VO2max in acute hypoxia is explained both by the narrowing of the arterio-venous oxygen difference and reduced Qcmax, (2) reduced Qcmax in acute hypoxia may be beneficial by preventing a further decrease in pulmonary and peripheral oxygen diffusion, and (3) reduced Qcmax and VO2max in acute hypoxia may be the result rather than the cause of the reduced Wmax and skeletal muscle recruitment, thus supporting the existence of a central governor.
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Eur. J. Appl. Physiol. · Nov 2000
Analysis of end-tidal and arterial PCO2 gradients using a breathing model.
The aim of this paper was to analyse the difference between end-tidal carbon dioxide tension (PETCO2) and arterial carbon dioxide tension (PaCO2) at rest and during exercise using a homogeneous lung model that simulates the cyclic feature of breathing. The model was a catenary two-compartment model that generated five non-linear first-order differential equations and two equations for gas exchange. The implemented mathematical modelling described variations in CO2 and O2 compartmental fractions and alveolar volume. ⋯ The pattern of breathing had a significant effect on the PETCO2-PaCO2 difference. The mean (SD) PETCO2-PaCO2 differences simulated using experimental profiles were 0.80 (0.95), 1.65 (0.40), 2.40 (0.20), 3.30 (0.30) and 4.90 (0.20) mmHg, at rest and during exercise at 50, 100, 150 and 200 W, respectively. The relationship between PETCO2-PaCO2 and tidal volume was similar to data published by Jones et al. (J Appl Physiol 47: 954-960, 1979).