Effect of exercise on the cerebral circulation and metabolism

Cerebral hemodynamics and metabolism were studied in 13 normal patients and 14 hypertensive patients at rest and during vigorous physical exercise. Cerebral blood flow was determined by the nitrous oxide method. The cerebral vascular resistance in normal and hypertensive patients remained remarkably constant during exercise despite a marked reduction in total peripheral resistance. Cerebral blood flow was relatively unaffected by the marked increase in cardiac output and the cerebral metabolism did not share in the increased total body metabolism. During vigorous physical exercise the brain behaved as a steady-state organ. cerebral resistance; cerebral blood flow; cerebral oxygen consumption; exercise Submitted on February 4, 1965