Cerebral Blood Flow Responses to Aquatic Treadmill Exercise

Parfitt, Rhodri; Hensman, Marianne; Lucas, Samuel J. E.

doi:10.1249/mss.0000000000001230

Cited by 17 publications

(30 citation statements)

References 36 publications

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“…Uniquely, the current study delineated the factors behind changes in MCAv mean during breast‐stroke swimming. Previous studies have illustrated that upright aquatic exercise (i.e., walking/running and box stepping) increases MCAv mean across a range of intensities (Pugh et al, ; Parfitt et al, ), which has been contributed, in part, to changes in PETCO 2 (Pugh et al, ). Furthermore, we illustrated that swimming shows a similar MCAv mean response as for other dynamic large muscle‐group exercise (unpublished data from our lab).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 96%

“…As HR is lower in water than on land for the same exercise (Parfitt et al, ), a maximal swim test was undertaken 45 min after the treadmill

\dot{normalV} {normalO}_{2 max}

test, to determine each participant’s swimming‐specific HRR. After being briefly familiarized to head‐out breast‐stroke technique and instructed to breathe as normal for swimming, participants swam head‐out breast‐stroke for incremental 2‐min stages, until exhaustion.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Leg-based dynamic exercise, such as cycling (Jorgensen et al, 1992;Hellstrom et al, 1996;Ogoh and Ainslie, 2009), recumbent stepping (Billinger et al, 2017), and treadmill running (Jiang et al, 1995) increase cerebral blood velocity (CBV) through the independent and interactive factors involved in cerebral blood flow regulation (e.g., blood pressure [BP], cardiac output, and alterations in arterial CO 2 ; Ide andSecher, 2000, Ogoh andAinslie, 2009). Furthermore, upright leg-based, aquatic exercise has recently been shown to augment the increase in CBV compared to intensity-matched land exercise (Parfitt et al, 2017).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Swimming‐related effects on cerebrovascular and cognitive function

et al. 2019

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Both acute and regular exercise influence vascular and cognitive function. Upright aquatic exercise increases mean middle cerebral artery blood velocity (MCAvmean) and has been suggested as favorable for cerebrovascular adaptations. However, MCAvmean has not been reported during swimming. Thus, we examined the cerebrovascular and cognitive effects of swimming. Ten land‐based athletes (22 ± 5 years) and eight swimmers (19 ± 1 years) completed three cognitive tasks and four conditions that were used to independently and collectively delineate the swimming‐related factors (i.e., posture, immersion, CO2 retention [end‐tidal CO2; PETCO2], and motor involvement). Measurements of MCAvmean and PETCO2 were taken throughout each condition. Prone posture increased MCAvmean by 11% (P < 0.01 vs. upright land). Water immersion independently increased MCAvmean when upright (12%; P < 0.01) but not prone (P = 0.76). The consequent rise in PETCO2 during head‐out, breast‐stroke swimming (50% heart rate range) independently increased MCAvmean by 14% (P < 0.01), while the motor involvement of swimming per se did not significantly change MCAvmean (P = 0.32). While accounting for sex, swimmers had ~17% lower MCAvmean during all rest conditions (P ≤ 0.05). However, in a subset of participants, both groups had similar internal carotid artery diameters (P = 0.99) and velocities (P = 0.97). Water immersion per se did not alter cognition (P ≥ 0.15), but 20 min of moderate‐intensity swimming improved visuomotor performance by 4% (P = 0.03), regardless of athlete group (P = 0.12). In conclusion, breast‐stroke swimming increased MCAvmean mostly due to postural and PETCO2 effects, with minimal contributions from water immersion or motor activity. Lastly, swimming improved cognitive functioning acutely, regardless of athlete group. Future research should explore the chronic effects of swimming on cerebrovascular function and cognition, particularly in aging.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 96%

“…As HR is lower in water than on land for the same exercise (Parfitt et al, ), a maximal swim test was undertaken 45 min after the treadmill

\dot{normalV} {normalO}_{2 max}

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Swimming‐related effects on cerebrovascular and cognitive function

et al. 2019

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“…7 A more recent study assessing the same question found a 21% increase in middle cerebral artery velocity (MCAv) during aquatic treadmill running compared to 12% increase during land treadmill, with matched exercise intensity levels. 8 In the study, Pugh and coworkers speculated that based upon their findings, water-based exercise training may induce greater cerebrovascular health benefits than traditional land-based exercise and that the therapeutic effect of this may be of significant health value. Although less relevant in rehabilitation practice, the question of cerebral blood flow during horizontal aquatic activity was addressed in a 2019 study of young adult recreational athletes and age-matched swimmers, finding that although there was no significant difference between prone MCAv on land or in water, prone swimming (breaststroke) increased MCAv by nearly 50%.…”

Section: Aquatic Immersion and Exercise Effects On The Central Nervoumentioning

confidence: 99%

“…As detailed in the beginning of this article, cerebral blood flow is positively affected by immersion and aquatic exercise. [7][8][9] This increase in flow velocity stimulates endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), which promotes vascular compliance, improving oxygen delivery to brain tissues. There is an association between cerebral blood flow and dementia, although the relationship is complex and also related to cerebral metabolism.…”

Section: Aquatic Therapy Use In Dementiamentioning

confidence: 99%

Aquatic Therapy in Contemporary Neurorehabilitation: An Update

Becker

2020

PM&R

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Aquatic therapy has been used extensively in a number of neurologic diseases and pathologies. This review describes disease-specific rehabilitative applications for this population. Recent research has offered scientific support for use in common neurological diseases that are part of rehabilitative practice, and very recent findings may create even firmer support for its use in these as well as other conditions. Stroke, Parkinsonism, and multiple sclerosis are areas that have recently received a significant number of published studies. Dementia is another area that has been more recently studied and received basic science support. Cerebral palsy has also had recent supportive evidence published. Available literature is reviewed to create a more evidence-based support for the use of aquatic therapy in neurorehabilitation.

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Non-pharmacological interventions for vascular health and the role of the endothelium

et al. 2022

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The most common non-pharmacological intervention for both peripheral and cerebral vascular health is regular physical activity (e.g., exercise training), which improves function across a range of exercise intensities and modalities. Numerous non-exercising approaches have also been suggested to improved vascular function, including repeated ischemic preconditioning (IPC); heat therapy such as hot water bathing and sauna; and pneumatic compression. Chronic adaptive responses have been observed across a number of these approaches, yet the precise mechanisms that underlie these effects in humans are not fully understood. Acute increases in blood flow and circulating signalling factors that induce responses in endothelial function are likely to be key moderators driving these adaptations. While the impact on circulating factors and environmental mechanisms for adaptation may vary between approaches, in essence, they all centre around acutely elevating blood flow throughout the circulation and stimulating improved endothelium-dependent vascular function and ultimately vascular health. Here, we review our current understanding of the mechanisms driving endothelial adaptation to repeated exposure to elevated blood flow, and the interplay between this response and changes in circulating factors. In addition, we will consider the limitations in our current knowledge base and how these may be best addressed through the selection of more physiologically relevant experimental models and research. Ultimately, improving our understanding of the unique impact that non-pharmacological interventions have on the vasculature will allow us to develop superior strategies to tackle declining vascular function across the lifespan, prevent avoidable vascular-related disease, and alleviate dependency on drug-based interventions.

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Cerebral Blood Flow Responses to Aquatic Treadmill Exercise

Abstract: Findings illustrate the potential for aquatic treadmill exercise to enhance exercise-induced elevations in CBF and thus optimize shear stress-mediated adaptation of the cerebrovasculature.

Cited by 17 publications

References 36 publications

Swimming‐related effects on cerebrovascular and cognitive function

Swimming‐related effects on cerebrovascular and cognitive function

Aquatic Therapy in Contemporary Neurorehabilitation: An Update

Non-pharmacological interventions for vascular health and the role of the endothelium

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