Changes in blood pressure and cardiac output during maximal isokinetic exercise

Abstract This study was undertaken to determine the blood pressure (BP) and cardiac output (Q c ) responses to maximal isokinetic exercise. The subjects ( n = 5) performed unilateral knee extension/flexion exercise (knee exercise) and unilateral elbow extension/flexion exercise (elbow exercise) at 0.52, 1.57, and 2.62 rads·sec −1 . The BP was monitored using a cannula placed in the radial artery. Heart rate (HR), stroke volume (SV), and Q c were measured by impedance cardiography. In response to isokinetic exercise, HR and Q c increased significantly ( p p c and MAP, responses were not influenced by the exercise velocity. The adjustments in HR, MAP, and rate pressure product (RPP) to the elbow exercise were qualitatively similar to those seen during the knee exercise, but the absolute values achieved were smaller ( p