Effects of exercise and cold-water exposure on microvascular muscle perfusion

Abstract

Purpose Microvascular blood flow (MBF) and its intramuscular regulation are of importance for physiological responsiveness and adaptation. The quantifiable in-vivo monitoring of MBF after cycling or systemic cold-water exposure may reveal new insights into capillary regulatory mechanisms. This study aimed to assess the role of exercise and cold therapy on MBF by using contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS).

Methods Twenty healthy athletes were recruited and randomly assigned to an intervention (IG) or a control group (CG). MBF was quantified in superficial (rectus femoris, RF) and deep muscle layers (vastus intermedius, VI). Representative perfusion parameters (peak enhancement (PE) and wash-in area under the curve (WiAUC)) were measured after a standardized measurement protocol for both groups at resting conditions (t₀) and after cycling (20 min., 70% Watt max, t₁) for both groups, after cold-water immersion exposure for IG (15 min., 12°C) or after precisely 15 minutes of rest for CG (t₂) and for both groups after 60 minutes of follow-up (t₃).

Results At t₁, MBF in VI increased significantly compared to resting conditions in both groups in VI (p= 0.02). After the cold-water exposure (t₂), there were no statistically significant changes in perfusion parameters as well as after 60 minutes of follow-up (t₃) (p = 0.14).

Conclusion Cycling leads to an upregulation of MBF. However, cold exposure does not change the MBF. The implementation of CEUS during different physiological demands may provide deeper insight into intramuscular perfusion regulation and regenerative processes.

Zusammenfassung

Hintergrund Der mikrovaskuläre Blutfluss (MBF) und dessen Regulierung sind von Bedeutung für physiologische Anpassungsprozesse. Die in-vivo-Messung des MBFs nach körperlicher Aktivität oder systemischer Kältetherapie kann neue Erkenntnisse über die kapillaren Regulationsmechanismen liefern. Das Ziel dieser Studie war es, die MBF nach körperlicher Aktivität bzw. Kältetherapie durch kontrastmittelverstärkten Ultraschall (CEUS) zu untersuchen.

Methoden 20 gesunde Sportler wurden randomisiert einer Interventions- (IG) oder Kontrollgruppe (CG) zugewiesen. Die MBF wurde in oberflächlichen (Rectus femoris, RF) und tiefen Muskelschichten (Vastus intermedius, VI) des Musculus quadriceps femoris quantifiziert. Repräsentative Perfusionsparameter (Peak Enhancement, PE und Wash-in Area under the Curve, WiAUC) wurden für beide Gruppen nach einem standardisierten Messprotokoll im Ruhezustand (t₀), nach Rad-Ergometrie (20 min, 70% Watt max, t₁), nach Kaltwasser-Exposition in IG (15 min, 12 °C) oder entsprechend nach 15 min Ruhe in CG (t₂) sowie nach 60 min Follow-up (t₃) für beide Gruppen gemessen.

Ergebnisse Zum Messzeitpunkt t1 steigerte sich die MBF signifikant im VI im Vergleich zu t₀ in beiden Gruppen (p = 0.02). Nach der Kälteexposition (t₂) waren keine statistisch signifikanten Änderungen der Perfusionsparameter zu beobachten, ebenso wie nach 60 min (t₃), da lediglich nicht signifikante Veränderungen verzeichnet werden konnten (p = 0.14).

Schlussfolgerung Körperliche Aktivität führt zu einer Erhöhung des MBFs, während eine systematische Kälteexposition zu keiner signifikanten Veränderung des MBFs in oberflächlichen und tiefen Muskelschichten führte. Die Anwendung von CEUS kann zu einem besseren Verständnis der intramuskulären Perfusions- und Regulationsmechanismen beitragen.

Keywords

microvascular blood flow - cryotherapy - sports - contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS)

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