Summary
Whole-body microvibrations (MV) in three dimensions were measured in 51 volunteers, all medical students, 26 without and 25 with beta-receptor blockade (propranolol), immediately before a practical physiology examination and during the ensuing vacation.
Propranolol impeded the increase in MV values in all three axes, significantly those in the z axis (vertical), the differences in MV values between the two measurements being minimal in the beta-receptor blocked group. On the other hand, propranolol enhanced MV in the x axis (anteroposterior) and the y axis (transverse), the y axis difference being significant only in females.
Propranolol obviously relieves examination stress: the majority of candidates (52%) felt “quieter≓ in the examination with than in other similar situations without beta-receptor blockade. Propranolol was, however, without effect on the examination results.
The rectified impulse in the z axis when related to body weight (Jz) correlates linearly with the calculated cardiac output. Propranolol, however, reduced cardiac output more than Jz, pointing to a Jz component non-sensitive to beta-receptor blockade. The part played by muscle tonus, mainly reflected in the y axis, thus remains unknown. The large and slow oscillations in the x and y axes, observed particularly in beta-receptor blocked females, might be attributed to diminution in standing ability.
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Koller, E.A., Studer, R., Gerber, H. et al. The effect of propranolol on whole-body microvibrations during examination stress. Europ. J. Appl. Physiol. 55, 307–314 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02343804
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02343804