Effect of cycle ergometry on peripheral blood flow, vascular conductance, and vascular resistance in young people

Abstract

Introduction. Evaluate hemodynamic changes in peripheral blood flow, vascular conductance (VC) and peripheral vascular resistance (PVR) in healthy individuals undergoing passive and active lower limb cycle ergometry. Methods. This is a prospective, controlled, randomized study and a crossover design, in which 14 normotensive volunteers were allocated to receive: (1) control group, assessment without intervention, (2) passive lower limb cycle group and (3) active cycle ergometry of lower limbs. In the physical exercise session of the active and passive lower limbs cycle ergometer protocol, the volunteers were placed in the supine position and then performed 20 minutes of aerobic exercise. Forearm blood flow was measured by venous occlusion plethysmograph, blood pressure was monitored by oscillometric and automatic equipment and heart rate was monitored continuously through lead II of electrocardiogram. Results. Active cycle ergometry was able to promote hypotension after physical exercise due to a reduction in mean blood pressure (p = 0.000), with an improvement in vascular function observed by a reduction in PVR (p = 0.000) and an increase in VC (p = 0.000). Although the reduction in mean blood pressure in the passive cycle ergometry group was not significant, it was sufficient to promote an increase in VC (p = 0.049) and a reduction in PVR (p = 0.008) in this group. Conclusions. A single session of 20 minutes physical exercise with passive and active cycle ergometry of the lower limbs was sufficient to promote hemodynamic changes in normotensive individuals.