Cardiovascular responses to brief static contractions in man with topical nervous blockade.

A. Lassen, J. H. Mitchell, D. R. Reeves, H. B. Rogers, N. H. Secher

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

20 Scopus citations

Abstract

1. We tested the hypothesis that afferent nerves from working muscles are important in determining the heart rate and blood pressure responses to brief maximal static exercise. 2. In twenty human subjects, the heart rate and arterial blood pressure responses to a brief maximal voluntary handgrip were studied before and after axillary nerve anaesthesia or to maximal one‐leg knee extension before and after epidural anaesthesia at L3‐L4. Maximal knee extension could not be accomplished without performing a ‘Valsalva‐like’ manoeuvre, but during handgrip it was possible to avoid the use of muscles other than those directly involved in the contraction. Heart rate and blood pressure were also monitored during a Valsalva manoeuvre of similar duration to the maximal voluntary contractions (4 s). 3. During handgrip with normal breathing, axillary nerve anaesthesia reduced the heart rate response but had no effect on the blood pressure response. 4. During a Valsalva manoeuvre, blood pressure increased but heart rate remained stable as long as expiratory pressure was maintained. During one‐leg knee extension, epidural anaesthesia reduced the blood pressure response; however, the reduction in blood pressure was probably due to a reduction in the simultaneously performed ‘Valsalva‐like’ manoeuvre. 5. The results of this study suggest that afferent input from the working muscles is of importance for the heart rate responses to brief static muscle contractions. That such influence may be important for the blood pressure response remains unproven.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)333-341
Number of pages9
JournalThe Journal of Physiology
Volume409
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 1 1989

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Physiology

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