title: Heart rate and blood pressure responses at the onset of dynamic exercise: effect of Valsalva manoeuvre.
abstract: The influence of respiration on the mean blood pressure (Pa) and R-R interval responses at the onset of dynamic exercise was studied in 15 healthy subjects who performed 4 s of unloaded cycling at 1.5-2.0 Hz, 4 s of Valsalva manoeuvre at 5.3 kPa, and a combination of both, each during a 12-s long apnoea at total lung capacity. The R-R intervals were obtained from the electrocardiogram, Pa was measured continuously by finger plethysmography, and intra-oral pressure was used to estimate the changes in intrapleural pressure. There was an immediate and significant shortening of the R-R intervals during exercise [mean (SE): 790 (20) to 642 (20) ms] that was not modified when Valsalva manoeuvre was added [783 (28) to 654 (21) ms]. Although 4 s of exercise alone did not alter Pa [13.8 (0.5) to 13.7 (0.7) kPa], this may indicate a pressor response, since Pa decreased during apnoea alone. When exercise was performed simultaneously with Valsalva manoeuvre, Pa increased significantly [13.6 (0.4) to 15.8 (0.5) kPa] and of similar magnitude during Valsalva alone [13.2 (0.4) to 15.3 (0.7) kPa]. In conclusion, 4 s of unloaded cycling elicited a fast R-R shortening with no change in Pa from rest. A concomitant Valsalva manoeuvre had no effect on the R-R interval response but caused a marked increase in Pa. From these findings, it is suggested that respiratory influences should be controlled in studies concerned with the cardiovascular responses at the onset of dynamic exercise.
authors.affiliation: Harry S. Moss Heart Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas 75235-9034.
authors.forename: A C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Nóbrega
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Williamson
authors.forename: C G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Araújo
authors.forename: D B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Friedman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001794:Blood Pressure; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D005082:Physical Exertion; D012119:Respiration; D014636:Valsalva Maneuver