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Acute effect of high-intensity cycling exercise on carotid artery hemodynamic pulsatility

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Abstract

Purpose

Investigate the effects of acute high-intensity exercise on common carotid artery (CCA) dimensions, stiffness, and wave intensity.

Methods

Fifty-five healthy men and women (22 ± 5 year; 24.5 ± 2.7 kg m−2) underwent 30 s of high-intensity cycling (HIC; Wingate anaerobic test). CCA diameter, stiffness [β-stiffness, Elastic Modulus (E p)], pulsatility index (PI), forward wave intensities [due to LV contraction (W 1) and LV suction (W 2)], and reflected wave intensity [negative area (NA)] were assessed using a combination of Doppler ultrasound, wave intensity analysis, and applanation tonometry at baseline and immediately post-HIC.

Results

CCA β-stiffness, E p, PI and pulse pressure increased significantly immediately post-HIC (p < 0.05). CCA diameter decreased acutely post-HIC (p < 0.05). There were also significant increases in W 1 and NA and a significant decrease in W 2 (p < 0.05). A significant correlation was found between change in W 1 and PI (r = 0.438, p < 0.05), from rest to recovery as well as a significant inverse correlation between W 2 and PI (r = −0.378, p < 0.05). Change in PI was not associated with change in CCA stiffness or NA (p > 0.05).

Conclusions

Acute HIC results in CCA constriction and increases in CCA stiffness along with increases in hemodynamic pulsatility. The increase in pulsatility may be due to a combination of increased forward wave intensity from increased LV contractility into a smaller vessel (i.e. impaired matching of diameter and flow) coupled with reduced LV suction.

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Abbreviations

BP:

Blood pressure

CCA:

Common carotid artery

DBP:

Diastolic blood pressure

ECG:

Electrocardiogram

E p :

Elastic modulus

HIC:

High-intensity cycling

IMT:

Intima-media thickness

MAP:

Mean arterial pressure

NA:

Negative area

LV:

Left ventricle

PI:

Pulsatility index

PP:

Pulse pressure

PWV:

Pulse wave velocity

RC:

Reflection coefficient

SBP:

Systolic blood pressure

WAT:

Wingate anaerobic test

W 1 :

Forward wave intensity

W 2 :

Suction wave intensity

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Human Performance Laboratory, Department of Exercise Science, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, 13244, USA

    Matthew C. Babcock, Wesley K. Lefferts, William E. Hughes, Kimberly L. Fitzgerald, Briana K. Leyer, Jessica G. Redmond & Kevin S. Heffernan

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  1. Matthew C. Babcock
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  2. Wesley K. Lefferts
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  3. William E. Hughes
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  4. Kimberly L. Fitzgerald
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  5. Briana K. Leyer
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  6. Jessica G. Redmond
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  7. Kevin S. Heffernan
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Correspondence to Kevin S. Heffernan.

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Communicated by Carsten Lundby.

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Babcock, M.C., Lefferts, W.K., Hughes, W.E. et al. Acute effect of high-intensity cycling exercise on carotid artery hemodynamic pulsatility. Eur J Appl Physiol 115, 1037–1045 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-014-3084-6

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