Download PDF
Int J Sports Med 2005; 26(2): 96-101
DOI: 10.1055/s-2004-821020
Physiology & Biochemistry

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

The Chemoreflex in Young Boys and Girls

K. R. Turley1
  • 1Human Performance Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology, Harding University, Searcy, Arkansas, USA
Further Information

Publication History

Accepted after revision: March 22, 2004

Publication Date:
26 August 2004 (online)

Also available at
    Permissions and Reprints

Abstract

In order to determine the influence of the chemoreflex on the cardiovascular system of young children, 35 boys and 35 girls (all 7 - 9 years old) performed three minutes of 30 % maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) static handgrip (SHG) exercise followed by four minutes of blood flow occlusion in the previously exercised arm, and then six minutes of passive recovery. Heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP) were measured each minute. Twenty girls performed a second occlusion trial to determine reliability. Reliability coefficients for HR (R = 0.51 - 0.78), diastolic (R = 0.46 - 0.81) and systolic (R = 0.57 - 0.78) BP throughout the occlusion trial were moderately high. There was a similar increase in HR (19 ± 8 vs. 16 ± 10 %), diastolic (34 ± 12 vs. 34 ± 16 %) and systolic (18 ± 9 vs. 15 ± 7 %) BP in boys and girls, respectively, during three minutes 30 % MVC exercise. During the occlusion period, diastolic (43 ± 31 vs. 47 ± 26 %) and systolic (51 ± 25 vs. 54 ± 32 %) BP dropped similarly during minute one but remained elevated significantly above baseline in both boys and girls the entire four-minute period. During the recovery period, minute one SBP and DBP dropped similarly in boys (23 ± 37, 20 ± 37 %) and girls (20 ± 38, 12 ± 38 %), respectively. In boys and girls DBP remained significantly above baseline the entire recovery period. HR in boys and girls returned to baseline immediately following SHG exercise and remained there through recovery. In conclusion, as reported in adults, the drop in HR to baseline during post-exercise ischemia with a concomitant maintenance of BP significantly above baseline indicates that at least two separate mechanisms, with varying influence, are responsible for HR and BP control in young children. Further, the chemoreflex operates similarly in young boys and girls.

Key words

Isometric exercise - static exercise - heart rate - blood pressure - metaboreflex - children

References

  • 1 Alam M, Smirk F H. Observations in man upon a blood pressure raising reflex arising from the voluntary muscles.  J Physiol. 1937;  89 372-383
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 2 Alpert B S, Fox M E. Racial aspects of blood pressure in children and adolescents.  Pediatr Clin North Am. 1993;  40 13-22
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 3 Arensman F W, Treiber F A, Gruber M P, Strong W B. Exercise-induced differences in cardiac output, blood pressure, and systemic vascular resistance in a healthy biracial population of 10-year-old boys.  Am J Dis Child. 1989;  143 212-216
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 4 Bar-Or O, Shepard R J, Allen C L. Cardiac output of 10- to 13-year-old boys and girls during submaximal exercise.  J Appl Physiol. 1971;  30 219-223
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 5 Baumgartner T A, Jackson A S. Measurement for Evaluation in Physical Education and Exercise Science. Dubuque, IA; Wm. C. Brown 1987
    Search in Google Scholar
  • 6 Biaggioni I. Adenosine and the exercise pressor reflex - A controversy resolved.  CAR. 2003;  13 7-9
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 7 Cheatham C C, Mahon A D, Brown J D, Bolster D R. Cardiovascular responses during prolonged exercise at ventilatory threshold in boys and men.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2000;  32 1080-1087
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 8 Cooper D M, Kaplan M R, Baumgarten L, Weiler-Ravell D, Whipp B J, Wasserman K. Coupling of ventilation and CO2 production during exercise in children.  Pediatr Rehab. 1987;  21 568-572
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 9 Crandall C G, Stephens D P, Johnson J M. Muscle metaboreceptor modulation of cutaneous active vasodilation.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1998;  30 490-496
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 10 Franke W D, Boettger C F, McLean S P. Effects of varying central command and muscle mass on the cardiovascular responses to isometric exercise.  Clin Physiol. 2000;  20 380-387
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 11 Freund P R, Hobbs S F, Rowell L B. Cardiovascular responses to muscle ischemia in man - dependency on muscle mass.  J Appl Physiol. 1978;  45 762-767
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 12 Iellamo F, Hughson R L, Castrucci F, Legramante J M, Raimondi G, Peruzzi G, Tallarida G. Evaluation of spontaneous baroreflex modulation of sinus node during isometric exercise in healthy humans.  Am J Physiol. 1994;  267 994-1001
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 13 Iellamo F, Massaro M, Raimondi G, Peruzzi G, Legramante J M. Role of muscular factors in cardiorespiratory responses to static exercise: contribution of reflex mechanisms.  J Appl Physiol. 1999;  86 174-180
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 14 Iellamo F, Pizzinelli P, Massaro M, Raimondi G, Peruzzi G, Legramante J M. Muscle metaboreflex contribution to sinus node regulation during static exercise. Insights from spectral analysis of heart rate variability.  Circulation. 1999;  100 27-32
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 15 Jenner D A, Vandongen R, Beilin L J. Blood pressure and body composition in children: importance of allowing for cuff size.  J Hum Hypertens. 1992;  6 367-374
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 16 Kamiya A, Michikami D, Fu Q, Hiimi Y, Iwase S, Mano T, Suzumura A. Static handgrip exercise modifies arterial baroreflex control of vascular sympathetic outflow in humans.  Am J Physiol Regulat Interact Comp Physiol. 2001;  281 1134-1139
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 17 Kaufman M P. The exercise pressor reflex.  CAR. 2002;  12 429-439
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 18 Mark A L, Victor R G, Nerhed C, Wallin G. Microneurographic studies of the mechanisms of sympathetic nerve responses to static exercise in humans.  Circ Res. 1985;  57 461-469
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 19 Mitchell J H. Neural control of the circulation during exercise.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1990;  22 141-154
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 20 Mitchell J H, Kaufman M P, Iwamoto G A. The exercise pressor reflex: Its cardiovascular effects, afferent mechanisms, and central pathway.  Ann Rev Physiol. 1983;  45 229-242
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 21 Nagano Y, Baba R, Kuraishi K, Yasuda T, Ikoma M, Hishibata K, Yokota M, Nagashima M. Ventilatory control during exercise in normal children.  Pediatr Rehab. 1998;  43 704-707
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 22 Nishiyasu T, Tan N, Morimoto K, Nishiyasu M, Yamaguchi Y, Murakami N. Enhancement of parasympathetic cardiac activity during activation of muscle metaboreflex in humans.  J Appl Physiol. 1994;  77 2778-2783
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 23 O'Leary D S. Autonomic mechanisms of muscle metaboreflex control of heart rate.  J Appl Physiol. 1993;  74 1748-1754
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 24 Pate R R, Matthews C, Alpert B S, Strong W B, DuRant R H. Systolic blood pressure response to exercise in black and white preadolescent and early adolescent boys.  Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 1994;  148 1027-1031
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 25 Pawelczyk J A, Pawelczyk R A, Warberg J, Mitchell J H, Secher N H. Cardiovascular and catecholamine responses to static exercise in partially curarized humans.  Acta Physiol Scand. 1997;  160 23-28
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 26 Rigatto H, Brady J, Verduzco R DIT. Chemoreceptor reflexes in preterm infants: I. The effect of gestational and postnatal age on the ventilatory response to inhalation of 100 % and 15 % oxygen.  Pediatrics. 1975;  55 604-613
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 27 Rowell L B, O'Leary D S. Reflex control of the circulation during exercise: chemoreflexes and mechanoreflexes.  J Appl Physiol. 1990;  69 407-418
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 28 Rowland T, Miller K, Vanderburgh P, Goff D, Martel L, Ferrone L. Cardiovascular fitness in premenarcheal girls and women.  Int J Sports Med. 2000;  21 117-121
    Thieme ConnectPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 29 Seals D R. Influence of active muscle size on sympathetic nerve discharge during isometric contractions in humans.  J Appl Physiol. 1993;  75 1426-1431
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 30 Slaughter M M, Lohman T G, Boileau R A, Horswill C A, Stillman R J, Loan M DV, Bemben D A. Skinfold equations for estimation of body fatness in children and youth.  Hum Biol. 1988;  60 709-723
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 31 Springer C, Cooper D M, Wasserman K. Evidence that maturation of the peripheral chemoreceptors is not complete in childhood.  Respir Physiol. 1988;  74 55-64
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 32 Thomas G D, Victor R G. In favor of a role of lactic acid on the generation of the exercise pressor reflex.  Clin Auton Res. 2003;  13 5-6
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 33 Turley K R. Cardiovascular responses to exercise in children.  Sports Med. 1997;  24 241-257
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 34 Turley K R, Martin D E, Marvin E D, Cowley K S. Heart rate and blood pressure responses to static exercise of different intensities: reliability and adult versus child differences.  Pediatr Exerc Sci. 2002;  14 45-55
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 35 Turley K R, Wilmore J H. Cardiovascular responses to submaximal exercise in 7- to 9-yr-old boys and girls.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1997;  29 824-832
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 36 Turley K R, Wilmore J H. Cardiovascular responses to treadmill and cycle ergometer exercise in children and adults.  J Appl Physiol. 1997;  83 948-957
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 37 Verhaaren H A, Schieken R M, Schwartz P, Mosteller M, Matthys D, Maes H, Beunen G, Vlietinck R, Derom R. Cardiovascular reactivity in isometric exercise and mental arithmetic in children.  J Appl Physiol. 1994;  76 146-150
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 38 Vissing J. Muscle reflex and central motor control of neuroendocrine activity, glucose homeostasis and circulation during exercise.  Acta Physiol Scand. 2000;  170 1-26
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 39 Vissing J, McLean D A, Vissing S F, Sander M, Saltin B, Haller R G. The exercise metaboreflex is maintained in the absence of muscle acidosis: insights from muscle microdialysis in humans with McArdle's disease.  J Physiol. 2001;  537 641-649
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 40 Wallin B G, Victor R G, Mark A L. Sympathetic outflow to resting muscles during static handgrip and postcontraction muscle ischemia.  Am J Physiol. 1989;  256 105-110
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar

Associate Professor Ph.D., FACSM K. R. Turley

Department of Kinesiology, Harding University

Box 12281

Searcy, AR 72149

USA

Phone: + 5012794908

Fax: + 50 12 79 41 38

Email: KRTurley@Harding.edu