Chronic disease will never reach its clinical horizon to compromise health if it is attacked at its origin [1]. Knowledge that ones risk for cardiovascular events is related to the severity of endothelial dysfunction, and evidence that exercise training can improve endothelial function, has prompted speculation that measures of vascular function may serve as a barometer for cardiovascular health. This dissertation consists of three experiments intended to study vascular function and the manner in which it may influence or may be influenced by physical function.
Project one examined the influence of high and low volume circuit weight training on forearm vascular function. Thirty-five individuals participated in a program consisting of 3 sessions/week for 5 weeks. Results indicated significant but similar strength gains in both groups (Hand Grip: Ä15.55%, Knee Extension: Ä21.00%, Bench Press: Ä35.31%; p<0.05). Reactive hyperemic responses, a measure of vascular function, only changed in those individuals with the lowest pre-training vascular measures, independent of group assignment.
Project two examined the link between vascular and physical function in peripheral neuropathy patients. Reactive hyperemic responses were significantly related to the time up and go test (r=-0.31, p=0.02) and the 6-minute walk distance (r=0.37, p=0.007). These data suggest a link between measures of vascular and physical function in these patients, indicating that those with better vascular function have greater physical function.
Project three examined the effects of an acute bout of exercise on nitric oxide, oxidative stress and anti-oxidants, and brachial vasoreactivity, before, at peak exercise, and in recovery, in trained individuals. The results indicated a significant increase in reactive oxygen species and peroxynitrite, and a decrease in the anti-oxidant glutathione peroxidase at peak exercise. Brachial vasoreactivity was significantly lower immediately after exercise, but returned to pre-exercise levels at 20 minutes into recovery. These findings suggest an acute bout of exercise contributes to a significant rise in oxidative stress, which can in part be buffered by anti-oxidants systems, but may cause temporary blunting of arterial reactivity. Collectively, these findings indicate the importance of examining vascular function, and its controllers, and may extend the current understanding of preserving and/or maintaining vascular health.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:LSU/oai:etd.lsu.edu:etd-01222008-070558 |
| Date | 22 January 2008 |
| Creators | Arce , Arturo |
| Contributors | Richard Tulley, Dale L. Paccamonti, Arnold Nelson, Li Li, Michael A. Welsch |
| Publisher | LSU |
| Source Sets | Louisiana State University |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | text |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Source | http://etd.lsu.edu/docs/available/etd-01222008-070558/ |
| Rights | unrestricted, I hereby certify that, if appropriate, I have obtained and attached herein a written permission statement from the owner(s) of each third party copyrighted matter to be included in my thesis, dissertation, or project report, allowing distribution as specified below. I certify that the version I submitted is the same as that approved by my advisory committee. I hereby grant to LSU or its agents the non-exclusive license to archive and make accessible, under the conditions specified below and in appropriate University policies, my thesis, dissertation, or project report in whole or in part in all forms of media, now or hereafter known. I retain all other ownership rights to the copyright of the thesis, dissertation or project report. I also retain the right to use in future works (such as articles or books) all or part of this thesis, dissertation, or project report. |
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