Blood flow in the triceps brachii muscle in humans during sustained submaximal isometric contractions

Abstract.

The main purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which blood flow through the profunda artery within the triceps brachii muscle may be compromised during maintained low-force isometric fatiguing contractions. Doppler ultrasound techniques were used to record mean blood velocity and arterial diameter of the profunda brachii artery during sustained isometric contractions of 20% maximal voluntary contraction. The arterial diameter did not change throughout the contraction. Thus, blood velocity was considered to be an indicator of blood flow. The mean blood velocity increased initially and then remained constant during the contraction period. When compared to rest [0.06 (SD 0.03) m s^–1] mean blood velocity was significantly larger at the start of the contraction [0.13 (SD 0.07) m s^–1] and larger yet during recovery following the contraction [0.30 (SD 0.14) m s^–1]. Although blood flow through the conduit artery did not drop during the contraction, the post-contraction hyperaemia suggested that circulatory compromise might have occurred at the level of the capillary beds.