There is evidence for non-nutritive flow routes within, or associated with, skeletal
muscle. Large capillary-like structures are possible candidates. The proportion of
flow distributed between nutritive and non-nutritive routes appears to be tightly
regulated and can control muscle metabolism and contraction by regulating delivery
and product removal. The portion of flow that is carried by the non-nutritive routes
at rest affords a flow reserve for amplifying nutrient delivery as muscle begins to
work and may determine post-exercise metabolism. Inappropriate signals, however, may
diminish nutritive flow to the detriment of muscle performance and post-exercise recovery.
New technologies should allow the identification of the non-nutritive routes.
Key words
Nutritive flow - non-nutritive flow - tendon and septa flow - sympathetic control
of flow - vasoconstrictors - vasodilators - insulin
