Acute effect of a single bout of aerobic exercise on vascular and baroreflex function of young males with a family history of hypertension

• Published in: Journal of human hypertension Vol. 25; no. 5; pp. 311 - 319
• Main Authors: Boutcher, Y N, Hopp, J P, Boutcher, S H
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Nature Publishing Group UK 01.05.2011; Nature Publishing Group
• Subjects: 692/699/75/243; 692/699/75/593; 692/700/459; Adolescent; Adult; Aerobics; Arms; Arterial hypertension. Arterial hypotension; Arteries - physiology; Baroreceptors; Baroreflex - physiology; Biological and medical sciences; Blood and lymphatic vessels; Blood flow; Blood pressure; Blood vessels; Cardiology. Vascular system; Clinical manifestations. Epidemiology. Investigative techniques. Etiology; Development and progression; Epidemiology; Exercise; Exercise (effects); Family; Forearm; Forearm - blood supply; Health Administration; Humans; Hyperemia; Hypertension; Hypertension - genetics; Hypertension - physiopathology; Lower Body Negative Pressure; Male; Medical sciences; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; original-article; Physical fitness; Physiological aspects; Public Health; Reflexes; Regional Blood Flow; Stress; Vascular Resistance; Vasodilation; Youth; Australia; cardiopulmonary baroreceptor; carotid baroreceptor; forearm blood flow; forearm vascular resistance; Physical exercise; Hypertension; Vascular resistance; Baroreflex; Carotid; Cardiovascular disease; Baroreceptor; Blood flow
• ISSN: 0950-9240; 1476-5527; 1476-5527
• DOI: 10.1038/jhh.2010.62

The effect of one single bout of aerobic exercise on the vascular and baroreceptor function of individuals with a family history of hypertension was investigated. Forty young males, mean age 21 years, comprising offspring with (FH + ; n =20) and without (FH − ; n =20) a family history of hypertension participated in this study. Acute exercise was performed on a stationary bike for 20 min at 60% of maximal oxygen uptake. Peak forearm blood flow (FBF) was assessed using plethysmography and was determined as the highest blood flow after 5 min of reactive hyperaemia. Cardiopulmonary baroreceptor (CPBR) sensitivity was measured using lower-body negative pressure (LBNP) for 5 min at −20 mm Hg. CPBR was determined by calculating change of stroke volume and forearm vascular resistance (FVR) at baseline and during LBNP. Carotid baroreceptor (CBR) sensitivity was assessed using neck suction at −20, −40, −60 and −80 mm Hg pressures and was determined from RR interval divided by systolic blood pressure. Augmentation index (AIx), a measure of wave reflection, was assessed using applanation tonometry, and was calculated as the ratio of augmented pressure and pulse pressure. The peak FBF at pre-exercise was lower in FH + than in FH − subjects. Twenty minutes of acute cycle exercise resulted in significantly increased peak FBF by 22% in FH + and by 11% in FH − subjects, whereas peak FVR of both groups decreased by 17% and 11%, respectively. No change occurred in CPBR, CBR or AIx. It is concluded that 20 min of acute cycle exercise normalised baseline FBF and forearm vasodilation during hyperaemia in FH + subjects.