Why the study?
Vascular function and blood flow responses to upper limb exercise differ across training modalities, and it was unknown whether they are altered in row-trained males during handgrip exercise.
Does row-training alter vascular function and blood flow regulation during handgrip exercise in young males?
Does row-training alter vascular function and blood flow regulation during handgrip exercise in young males?
Row-trained males exhibit greater shear-induced brachial artery dilation and lower arm blood flow during progressive handgrip exercise compared to untrained controls, indicating training-specific vascular adaptations.
May suggest rowing-specific upper-limb vascular adaptations; leaves open clinical relevance and need for larger prospective studies.
Vascular function and blood flow responses to upper limb exercise are differentially altered in response to different exercise training modalities. Rowing is a unique exercise modality that incorporates the upper limbs and can significantly augment upper limb endurance, strength, and power capacity. PURPOSE: This study sought to determine whether vascular function and blood flow regulation during handgrip exercise are altered in row-trained males. METHODS: Nine young row-trained males (ROW, 20 ± 1 yr; V˙O2peak = 51 ± 2 mL·kg·min) and 14 recreationally active male controls (C: 22 ± 1 yr; V˙O2peak = 37 ± 2 mL·kg·min) were recruited for this study. Subjects performed multiple bouts of progressive rhythmic handgrip exercise. Brachial artery (BA) diameter, blood flow, shear rate, and mean arterial pressure were measured at rest and during the last minute of each exercise workload. RESULTS: Resting values for BA diameter, blood flow, shear rate, and mean arterial pressure were not different between groups. During handgrip exercise, the ROW group reported significantly lower BA blood flow (ROW vs C: 4 kg [146 ± 21 vs 243 ± 13 mL·min], 8 kg [248 ± 29 vs 375 ± 17 mL·min], 12 kg [352 ± 43 vs 490 ± 22 mL·min]) across all workloads when compared with controls. The examination of BA dilation, when controlled for the shear rate stimulus and evaluated across all workloads, was revealed to be significantly greater in ROW group versus controls. CONCLUSION: This study revealed that vascular function and blood flow regulation were significantly different in row-trained males when compared with untrained controls evidenced by greater shear-induced BA dilation and lower arm blood flow during progressive handgrip exercise.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Garten et al. (2019) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: