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Int J Sports Med 2005; 26(10): 822-826
DOI: 10.1055/s-2005-837452
Physiology & Biochemistry

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Reactive Hyperaemia in the Forearm Skin of Highly Trained Windsurfers

E. Heylen1 , B. Simon1 , F. Guerrero1 , J.-P. Elkaïm2 , B. Saïag1 , J. Mansourati1 , 2
  • 1E.A. 3879 Unité de Physiologie Comparée et Intégrative, Groupe Endothélium Vasculaire, Exercice, Nutrition et Santé et G.I.S. Sciences du Mouvement, U.F.R. Sport et Education Physique, Brest, France
  • 2Département de Cardiologie, Hôpital de la Cavale Blanche, C.H.U. Brest, France
Further Information

Publication History

Accepted after revision: November 20, 2004

Publication Date:
09 May 2005 (online)

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Abstract

We undertook this study to determine whether long-term high intensity exercise would modify cutaneous endothelial-dependent vasodilation. We compared a group of 9 highly trained windsurfers (mean age: 24.5 ± 1.6 years) to a control group of 8 sedentary individuals (22.9 ± 0.4 years, NS). Laser Doppler was used to measure cutaneous blood flow in the resting state (baseline), during post-occlusive hyperaemia (endothelium-dependent vasodilation), and local heating to 42 °C. Lipid profile was similar in both groups. Resting heart rate was significantly lower in windsurfers. Baseline cutaneous vascular conductance (CVC) values were similar in both groups (0.059 ± 0.016 and 0.051 ± 0.009). During reactive hyperaemia, normalized peak CVC value was significantly higher in the windsurfers group (1775.4 ± 286.9 and 826.4 ± 121.7 % baseline CVC; p = 0.01). Normalized peak CVC value in response to local heating (42 °C) was not significantly different between both groups (2359.4 ± 346.1 and 1467.7 ± 282.6 % baseline CVC). Endothelium-dependent vasodilation in cutaneous microcirculation is significantly enhanced in the forearm skin of highly trained windsurfers when compared to sedentary controls.

Key words

Exercise - laser Doppler - endothelium - vasodilation

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E. Heylen

E. A. 3879 Unité de Physiologie Comparée et Intégrative, U.F.R. Sport et Education Physique

20 avenue Le Gorgeu C.S. 93837

29238 Brest Cedex 3

France

Phone: + 33298016260

Fax: + 33 2 98 01 79 46

Email: erwan.heylen@univ-brest.fr