Regulation of the Cardiovascular System During Dynamic Exercise: Integrative Approach

This work is a review of the physiological response to exercise, specifically, cardiorespiratory adjustments and autonomic cardiovascular control during exercise. The review proceeds as follows: 1. The introductory section shows the close relationship between aerobic performance and cardiovascular adjustments. Cardiac output seems to be the main factor restricting performance. 2. The principal physiological mechanisms involved in cardiovascular adjustments during exercise are examined. In particular, the role and the evolution of blood pressure during severe dynamic exercise are examined. 3. Cardiorespiratory adjustments at the onset of exercise are examined, including the mental influence and cardiorespiratory anticipatory adjustments just before exercise (a phenomenon called preparation to action). 4. The effect of exercise on ventilation is examined. The effect on ventilation yields some variability in cardiovascular components. Ventilatory patterns have an influence on cardiovascular variability; this work examines cardiorespiratory interactions during exercise. 5. The final section is specifically devoted to the most common methods of cardiovascular processing signal methods used in cardiorespiratory investigations. This kind of investigation provides a strong noninvasive tool for studying autonomic cardiorespiratory control.