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The Veterinary clinics of North America. Equine practice1985; 1(3); 513-531; doi: 10.1016/s0749-0739(17)30748-4

Cardiovascular adaptations to exercise and training.

Abstract: The cardiovascular system provides the link between pulmonary ventilation and oxygen usage at the cellular level. During exercise, efficient delivery of oxygen to working skeletal and cardiac muscles is vital for maintenance of ATP production by aerobic mechanisms. The equine cardiovascular response to increased demand for oxygen delivery during exercise contributes largely to the over 35-fold increases in oxygen uptake that occur during submaximal exercise. Cardiac output during exercise increases greatly owing to the relatively high heart rates that are achieved during exercise. Heart rate increases proportionately with workload until heart rates close to maximal are attained. It is remarkable that exercise heart rates six to seven times resting values are not associated with a fall in stroke volume, which is maintained by splenic contraction, increased venous return, and increased myocardial contractibility. Despite the great changes in cardiac output, increases in blood pressure during exercise are maintained within relatively smaller limits, as both pulmonary and systemic vascular resistance to blood flow is reduced. Redistribution of blood flow to the working muscles during exercise also contributes greatly to the efficient delivery of oxygen to sites of greatest need. Higher work rates and oxygen uptake at submaximal heart rates after training imply an adaptation due to training that enables more efficient oxygen delivery to working muscle. Such an adaptation could be in either blood flow or arteriovenous oxygen content difference. Cardiac output during submaximal exercise does not increase after training, but studies using high-speed treadmills and measurement of cardiac output at maximal heart rates may reveal improvements in maximal oxygen uptake due to increased stroke volumes, as occurs in humans. Improvements in hemoglobin concentrations in blood during exercise after training are recognized, but at maximal exercise, hypoxemia may reduce arterial oxygen content. More effective redistribution of cardiac output to muscles by increased capillarization and more efficient oxygen diffusion to cells may also be an important means of increasing oxygen uptake after training.
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Publication Date: 1985-12-01 PubMed ID: 3877552DOI: 10.1016/s0749-0739(17)30748-4Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research article discusses how the cardiovascular system adapts to exercise and training, particularly focusing on the changes in heart rate, blood flow and oxygen consumption in the body during physical activity.

Cardiovascular Response to Exercise

  • The researchers explain that the cardiovascular system plays a pivotal role in delivering oxygen to skeletal and cardiac muscles during exercise, aiding in ATP (energy) production. Exercise increases heart rate, enabling greater cardiac output and consequently, significantly enhancing the body’s oxygen uptake.
  • The study also notes that despite this dramatic increase in heart rate during exercise, there is no reduction in stroke volume (the amount of blood pumped out of the heart with each contraction), thanks to the splenic contraction, improved venous return, and heightened myocardial contractility.
  • Also, the blood pressure increases during exercise maintain within smaller limits. This is because both pulmonary and systemic vascular resistance to blood flow reduces during physical activity. There’s also an efficient redistribution of blood flow to the working muscles, further supporting oxygen delivery.

Cardiovascular Adaptation to Training

  • Long-term exercise or training, enhances the efficiency of oxygen delivery to the working muscles. This improvement could be due to the adjustments in either blood flow or the difference in arteriovenous oxygen content.
  • Following training, the researchers observe that work rates and oxygen consumption at submaximal heart rates increased, implying a more efficient oxygen delivery system. However, the cardiac output during submaximal exercise does not rise post-training.
  • Conducting further studies using high-speed treadmills and measuring cardiac output at maximal heart rates can possibly reveal improvements in maximal oxygen uptake, which could be due to increased stroke volumes, similar to what is seen in humans.
  • The research also notes an elevation in hemoglobin concentrations during exercise following training. Nonetheless, during maximal exercise, a condition called hypoxemia may potentially reduce the arterial oxygen content.
  • Lastly, greater capillarization and efficient oxygen diffusion to cells could significantly enhance oxygen uptake after training, leading to more effective redistribution of cardiac output to muscles.

Cite This Article

APA
Evans DL. (1985). Cardiovascular adaptations to exercise and training. Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract, 1(3), 513-531. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0749-0739(17)30748-4

Publication

The Veterinary clinics of North America. Equine practice
ISSN: 0749-0739
NlmUniqueID: 8511904
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 1
Issue: 3
Pages: 513-531

Researcher Affiliations

Evans, D L

    MeSH Terms

    • Animals
    • Blood Pressure
    • Blood Volume
    • Cardiac Output
    • Cardiovascular Physiological Phenomena
    • Electrocardiography / veterinary
    • Heart / anatomy & histology
    • Heart Rate
    • Horses / physiology
    • Humans
    • Physical Conditioning, Animal
    • Stroke Volume
    • Vascular Resistance

    Citations

    This article has been cited 18 times.
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