Concurrent metaboreflex activation increases chronotropic and ventilatory responses to passive leg movement without sex-related differences

Fig. 1. Schematic representation of the study protocol. After the familiarization session (not shown) two sessions were carried out in separate days (A and B). Critical force (dashed line) in panel A was calculated as the mean force expressed in the last six contractions (dashed square). In the second session, post-exercise circulatory occlusion (PECO) or freely perfused (CON) conditions were performed in a counterbalanced manner with a ~ 30-min rest in between. Exercise intensity was set at 10% above critical force (dashed line). MVC maximal voluntary contraction; PLM passive leg movement

Fig. 2. Passive leg movement-induced peak changes in central hemodynamics variables with post-exercise circulatory occlusion (PECO) or freely perfused recovery (CON). *Significantly different than PECO. A HR heart rate; B SV stroke volume; C CO cardiac output; D MAP mean arterial pressure. Statistical significance was set at p <0.05. Number of participants (n) = 20

Fig. 3. Root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD) from baseline to 15 s after the onset of the passive leg movement. *Significantly different than the previous time point in PECO. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Data are presented mean ± SEM. Number of participants (n) = 19

Fig. 4. Passive leg movement-induced peak changes in in ventilatory variables during passive leg movement with post-exercise circulatory occlusion (PECO) or freely perfused recovery (CON). *Significantly different than PECO. A \documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$$\dot{V}_{{\text{E}}}$$\end{document}V˙E: minute ventilation; B fB: breathing frequency; C VT: tidal volume. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Number of participants (n) = 20

Fig. 5. A Electromyography and B rating of perceived exertion (RPE) during intermittent isometric knee-extensions performed 10% above critical force. Since no differences were found between conditions, data were pooled to display the effect of time. *Significantly different than the previous time point. Statistical significance was set at p 0.05. Data are presented as mean ± SD. Number of participants (n) = 20