Muscle afferent inputs to cardiovascular control during isometric exercise vary with muscle group in patients with chronic heart failure.

It is not known whether the contribution of the muscle metaboreflex to the cardiovascular response to isometric exercise varies between different muscles in patients with CHF (chronic heart failure) or whether this depends upon muscle fibre type and training status. To resolve these issues BP (blood pressure) and HR (heart rate) responses were recorded in seven stable CHF patients (ejection fraction 30-40%; age 67+/-3 years) and in six healthy AMA (age-matched active) subjects. The experimental protocol consisted of 2 min of ischaemic isometric exercise at 30% maximum voluntary force, performed in separate trials by the calf plantar flexors (CALF) and handgrip muscles (FOREARM).

Spontaneous baroreflex sensitivity in young and older people during voluntary and electrically evoked isometric exercise.

Background: In young people, cardiovagal baroreflex sensitivity alters during isometric exercise. We investigated whether the reduced resting baroreflex sensitivity seen with increasing age is similarly altered during exercise.

Methods: Cardiovagal baroreflex sensitivity was examined in 8 young (age+/-SEM, 25+/-1.