Modification of forearm vascular function following short-term handgrip exercise training

• Published in: International journal of sports medicine Vol. 22; no. 5; p. 361
• Main Authors: Alomari, M A, Welsch, M A, Prisby, R D, Lee, C M, Wood, R H
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Germany 01-07-2001
• Subjects: Adult; Analysis of Variance; Blood Flow Velocity - physiology; Forearm - blood supply; Hand Strength - physiology; Humans; Male; Muscle Contraction - physiology; Physical Education and Training - methods; Plethysmography; Prospective Studies; Regional Blood Flow; Vascular Resistance - physiology
• ISSN: 0172-4622
• DOI: 10.1055/s-2001-15654

This study examined the effect of low (25% of maximum voluntary contraction) and high (75% of maximum voluntary contraction) intensity short-term handgrip exercise training on localized vascular function. Forearm blood flow was evaluated in twenty-eight healthy men (age: 23 +/- 4.3) pre- and post-training in both forearms at rest, following forearm occlusion and following forearm occlusion combined with handgrip exercise using strain gauge plethysmography. The 4-week program consisted of non-dominant handgrip exercise performed 5 d/wk for 20 min at either low or high intensity. Following training a significant increase in forearm blood flow was noted for the nondominant arm in both groups after forearm occlusion (low intensity group: 16.51%; high intensity group: 20.72%; p = 0.001) and forearm occlusion combined with handgrip exercise (low intensity group: 17.71%; high intensity group: 29.27%; p = 0.001). No significant group by test interaction (p = 0.632) was found. These data show improved unilateral vasodilatory responsiveness after short-term handgrip training. In addition, the degree of change is most notable following the greatest vasodilatory stimulus. Lastly, a lack of group by treatment interaction suggests the change may be independent of training stimulus.