The effect of low-level normobaric hypoxia on orthostatic responses

BACKGROUND: Altitude-induced hypoxia is believed to decrease tolerance to orthostasis. This preliminary investigation assesses the interaction between low-level normobaric hypoxia and the cardiovascular responses to orthostasis. HYPOTHESIS: We hypothesize that low-level hypoxia at simulated altitudes up to 3350 m adversely affects cardiovascular responses to orthostasis. METHODS: Six women and eight men underwent + 75 degrees head-up tilt (HUT) at 3 simulated altitudes (115 m (377 ft), 1680 m (5500 ft) and 3350 m (11,000 ft)). Minute ventilation (VE), tidal volume (VT), breathing frequency (f), heart rate (HR), and arterial blood pressure (BP) were measured non-invasively. Ventilatory parameters (VE, VT, and f) were measured during the control period to assess the respiratory response to hypoxia. Cardiovascular variables (HR and BP) during HUT were compared and analyzed by calculating the deviation from control (pre-tilt) values. RESULTS: Respiratory data showed no significant hypoxic ventilatory response. The average HR deviation significantly decreased (p < 0.05) with HUT from 13 +/- 2 bpm (115 m) to 9 +/- 2 bpm (3350 m). The pattern of mean arterial BP deviation with HUT was similar across the three altitudes (-6.6 +/- 2.9 mm Hg at 115 m to -6.8 +/- 2.4 mm Hg at 3350 m), with no significant differences. CONCLUSIONS: Changes in HR and arterial BP are fundamental aspects of the cardiovascular response to orthostatic stress. Although there were no significant changes in the BP response to orthostasis with hypoxia, the HR changes seen in this study suggest that the ability to modulate HR under orthostatic stress is reduced with exposure to low-level normobaric hypoxia.     

Acute cardiovascular adaptation to 10 consecutive episodes of head-up tilt

BACKGROUND: The cardiovascular system is highly adaptable to sustained +Gz acceleration. Little is known as to whether the cardiovascular system can adapt to acute, repetitive +Gz exposures. This study tested the hypothesis that the cardiovascular system would adapt to repeated orthostatic challenges in a single session. METHODS: Over a 70-min period, 14 subjects were exposed to 10 +75 degrees head-up tilts (HUT). Each tilt involved a 5-min supine period followed by a 2-min HUT. Heart rate (HR), systolic BP (SBP), diastolic BP (DBP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), total peripheral resistance (TPR), stroke volume (SV), and cardiac output (CO) were determined non-invasively. Cardiovascular responses to HUT10 for the final 30 s of the supine period and the first 30 s of the tilt period were compared with those of HUT1. Integrated cardiac baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) was assessed using the Valsalva maneuver. RESULTS: MAP and DBP increased in both supine (MAP p = 0.009, DBP p = 0.002) and tilt periods (MAP p = 0.003, DBP p = 0.009) for HUT10 compared with HUT1. TPR increased during the tilt period only (p = 0.001) during HUT10 compared with HUT1. CO and SV were decreased during the supine period at HUT10 relative to HUT1; however, there were no differences in the tilt period at HUT10 for either CO or SV. There was no change in the response of BRS, HR, or SBP from HUT1 to HUT10. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that 10 repetitive HUTs can elicit changes in the cardiovascular responses to orthostasis, reflected by an increased vascular resistance.     

Inspiratory impedance effects on hemodynamic responses to orthostasis in normal subjects

BACKGROUND: Breathing through an impedance threshold device (ITD) might prove effective as a countermeasure against post-spaceflight orthostatic hypotension since it increased blood pressure (BP) and cardiac output in supine human subjects. OBJECTIVE: We tested the hypothesis that spontaneous breathing through an ITD would attenuate the reduction in stroke volume and BP during orthostasis in human subjects. METHODS: There were 19 volunteers (10 men, 9 women) who completed two 80 degrees head-up tilt (HUT) protocols with (active) and without (sham control) an ITD set to open at -7 cm H2O pressure. Heart rate (HR), stroke volume (SV), cardiac output (CO), mean arterial pressure (MAP), and total peripheral resistance (TPR) were measured non-invasively during transition from supine to HUT. RESULTS: HUT caused significant elevation in HR and reductions in SV, CO, TPR, and MAP. Hemodynamic effects of HUT were similar for sham and active ITD. Further analysis revealed a subset (n = 11) of subjects who demonstrated a > 20% decrease in SV during HUT with the sham ITD. In this subset of subjects, the ITD attenuated (p = 0.004) the %deltaSV (-22.5 +/- 3.0%) during HUT compared with the sham ITD (%deltaSV = -37.4 +/- 2.6%). There was no statistical effect of ITD use in the subgroup who demonstrated < 20% reduction in SV (-16.6 +/- 0.4%). CONCLUSIONS: Use of an ITD may provide significant protection against orthostatic compromise in individuals with greater than 20% reductions in SV, such as astronauts returning from space.     

Cerebrovascular responses during lower body negative pressure-induced presyncope

BACKGROUND: Reduced orthostatic tolerance is commonly observed after spaceflight, occasionally causing presyncopal symptoms which may be due to low cerebral blood flow (CBF). It has been suggested that CBF decreases in early stages of exposure to orthostatic stress. The purpose of this study was to investigate cerebrovascular responses during presyncope induced by lower body negative pressure (LBNP). HYPOTHESIS: Although CBF decreases during LBNP exposure, blood pressure (BP) or heart rate (HR) contributes more to induce presyncopal conditions. METHODS: Eight healthy male volunteers were exposed to LBNP in steps of 10 mm Hg every 3 min until presyncopal symptoms were detected. Electrocardiogram (ECG) was monitored continuously and arterial BP was measured by arterial tonometry. CBF velocity at the middle cerebral artery was measured by transcranial Doppler sonography (TCD). Cerebral tissue oxygenation was detected using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). We focused our investigation on the data obtained during the final 2 min before the presyncopal endpoint. RESULTS: BP gradually decreased from 2 min to 10 s before the endpoint, and fell more rapidly during the final 10 s. HR did not change significantly during presyncope. CBF velocity did not change significantly, while cerebral tissue oxygenation decreased prior to the presyncopal endpoint in concert with BP. Our results suggest that CBF is maintained in the middle cerebral artery during presyncope, while BP decreases rapidly. CONCLUSIONS: Cerebrovascular hemodynamics are relatively well maintained while arterial hypotension occurs just prior to syncope.     

21天头低位(-6°)卧床前后下体负压和头高位倾斜暴露时的心血管反应

目的探讨２１天头低位（ＨＤＴ）卧床对人体立位应激下心血管反应的影响,以及比较下体负压（ＬＢＮＰ）和头高位倾斜（ＨＵＴ）两种立位应激下心血管反应的差异。方法６名受试者在２１天ＨＤＴ前、后分别进行ＬＢＮＰ（－４．００ｋＰａ／３ｍｉｎ、－６．６７ｋＰａ／３ｍｉｎ及－９．３３ｋＰａ／３ｍｉｎ）和ＨＵＴ试验（３０°／３ｍｉｎ、４５°／３ｍｉｎ、６０°／３ｍｉｎ及７５°／３ｍｉｎ）,以比较两种检测方法的血压（ＢＰ）和心率（ＨＲ）的变化情况。结果与ＬＢＮＰ（或ＨＵＴ）前相比：①ＬＢＮＰ（ＨＵＴ）时ＨＲ显著增加（Ｐ＜０．０１）,ＳＢＰ显著降低（Ｐ＜０．０５）;卧床后相应的变化量增加。②ＬＢＮＰ时ＤＢＰ降低（卧床后达显著,Ｐ＜０．０５）;而ＨＵＴ时ＤＢＰ增加（卧床后达显著,Ｐ＜０．０５）。③ＬＢＮＰ时ＭＡＰ均显著降低（Ｐ＜０．０５）;而ＨＵＴ时在卧床前无变化（Ｐ＞０．０５）,在卧床后显著增加（Ｐ＜０．０５）。结论ＬＢＮＰ和ＨＵＴ引起的ＣＶＳ反应并不相同。笔者认为,ＨＵＴ更能促进心血管系统对立位应激的调节作用。     

Does endurance training affect orthostatic responses in healthy elderly men?

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects and time course of endurance training on the regulation of heart rate (HR), arterial pressure (AP), norepinephrine (NE), and plasma volume (PV) during orthostatic stress in healthy elderly men. METHODS: Thirty-one healthy men (65--75 yr) were randomly allocated into endurance training (N = 20, EX) and control (N = 11, CON) groups. The EX group cycled 3 d x wk(-1) for 30 min at 70% VO(2peak) for 12 wk x VO(2peak) was determined on an electronically braked cycle ergometer, before training and after 4, 8, and 12 wk of endurance training. The immediate (initial 30 s), early steady-state (1 min), and prolonged (5, 10, 15 min) beat-by-beat HR and AP responses during 90 degrees head-up tilt (HUT) were measured at least 3 d after each VO(2peak) test. Spontaneous baroreflex slopes were determined by application of linear regression to sequences of at least three cardiac cycles in which systolic blood pressure (SBP) and R-R interval changed in the same direction. Venous blood was collected during 90 degrees HUT and analyzed for changes in plasma NE concentrations, as well as hematocrit and hemoglobin to determine changes in PV. RESULTS: Endurance training significantly (P < 0.01) increased VO(2peak) (mL x kg(-1) x min(-1)) in EX by 10 +/- 2%. The immediate, early steady-state, and prolonged HR and AP responses and spontaneous baroreflex slopes during 90 degrees HUT were not significantly different (P > 0.05) between EX and CON groups before or after 4, 8, or 12 wk of endurance training. No significant differences (P > 0.05) were observed between EX and CON groups for peak changes in PV during orthostasis before (-15.0 +/- 1.4% vs -11.9 +/- 1.3%) or after 4 (-12.2 +/- 1.0% vs -12.7 +/- 1.4%), 8 (-13.7 +/- 1.2% vs -12.4 +/- 0.7%), and 12 wk (-10.8 +/- 1.6% vs -10.6 +/- 0.6%) of endurance training, suggesting a similar stimulus presented by 90 degrees HUT in both groups. Peak changes in NE concentrations during HUT were similar (P > 0.05) between EX and CON groups before (119 +/- 23 pg x mL(-1) vs 191 +/- 36 pg x mL(-1)) and after 4 (139 +/- 29 pg x mL(-1) vs 146 +/- 25 pg x mL(-1)), 8 (114 +/- 32 pg x mL(-1) vs 182 +/- 41 pg x mL(-1)), and 12 wk (143 +/- 35 pg x mL(-1) vs 206 +/- 42 pg.mL-1) of endurance training. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that in healthy elderly men, improvements in VO(2peak) can occur without compromising the regulation of HR, AP, NE, and PV during orthostatic stress.     

重力应激正自发性压力感受器—心率反射反应性的评定

为探讨重力应激下自发性压力感受器－心率反射反应性的评定方法，观察了１０人＋６５°头高位倾斜与８人－６．６７ｋＰａ下体负压作用下，以及１５人１６ｄ－６°头低位卧床期间ＢＲＳ的变化。     

头低位暴露后直立位下体负压作用的耐力变化和心血管反应

目的观察头低位后直立位下体负压暴露的耐力和心血管反应。方法8名被试者在下体负压倾斜床上进行“直立位-倒立位30s-直立位联合下体负压(-60mmHg)致晕厥前症状”的模拟推拉效应试验及单纯直立位 下体负压(-60mmHg)致晕厥前症状的对照试验,用阻抗法测量了试验过程中心血管功能指标的变化。结果在模拟推拉效应试验中,8名被试者出现晕厥前症状的平均耐受时间为4.5±2.4min,显著低于对照试验时的8.4±2.1min(P<0.01)。在倒立位,被试者HR较直立位基础值降低,SV和CO较直立位基础值升高,均有显著性意义。和基础值相比,直立位下体负压时HR增加的百分比显著低于对照试验(P<0.05),而直立位下体负压时SV和CO降低的百分比均显著高于对照试验时SV和CO降低的百分比(P<0.05)。在直立位下体负压暴露时,对照试验的PP和基础值比较显著降低(P<0.05),TPR比基础值显著增加(P<0.05)。结论倒立位后,再进行直立位下体负压作用,出现晕厥前症状的平均耐受时间缩短,心血管反应降低。     

Baroreflex sensitivity during static exercise in individuals with Down Syndrome

INTRODUCTION: Individuals with Down syndrome (DS) have altered heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP) responses to orthostatic challenges and isometric handgrip (IHG) exercise, suggesting possible alteration in baroreflex sensitivity. PURPOSE: This study investigated baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) as a potential mechanism contributing to chronotropic incompetence during IHG in persons with DS. METHODS: Heart rate and BP were continually recorded in 12 individuals with DS and 10 controls, at rest and during 2 min of IHG, at 30% of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC). Spontaneous BRS was derived via the sequence method. RESULTS: No differences were seen in HR at rest between groups. Systolic BP (SBP) was significantly lower in the DS group at rest (106.1+/- 2.9 vs 116.5+/- 3.9 mm Hg, P < 0.05) and during IHG (123.9+/- 4.6 vs 150.1+/- 5.3 mm Hg, P<0.001). A significant group-by-task interaction was found for both change in HR and change in SBP with IHG, because of an attenuated HR and SBP response to IHG in participants with DS (P<0.05). When controlling for resting SBP, the DS group had a lower BRS at rest (16.0+/-1.7 vs 21.2+/-4.2 ms.mm Hg, P< 0.05) and during IHG (7.8 +/-1.0 vs 12.1+/- 2.6 ms.mm Hg, P< 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Individuals with DS have lower BRS at rest and during IHG than controls and this may be related to their attenuated HR response during perturbation.     

Characteristics of the reactions to active orthostatic and water loading tests in persons with varying resistance to +Gz loads

Thirty-seven healthy male test subjects, aged 19-21, with different +Gz acceleration tolerance were examined. Their blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) during 5-min tilt tests and 2% water loading tests were measured 2-3 weeks prior to centrifugation. Quantitative evaluation of orthostatic tolerance using an orthostatic index and BP and HR responses to tilt tests before and after water loading revealed specific features of cardiovascular regulation in the subjects with high and low +Gz acceleration tolerance. The negative predictive indicators include: decreased BP, HR and cardiac index in the supine position in combination with high orthostatic tolerance, as well as decreased orthostatic tolerance in combination with a lower function of vasoconstrictor mechanisms in the upright position and a lower sensitivity of carotid sinus reflexes to blood volume changes during tilt and water loading tests. When examining test subjects with high +Gz tolerance, preference should be given to those who can well tolerate tilt tests and show moderately high BP and HR in the supine position, as well as to those who exhibit a noticeable increment of diastolic BP during 5-min tilt tests.     

Leg vascular responsiveness during acute orthostasis following simulated weightlessness

Ten men (35-49 years old) underwent lower body negative pressure (LBNP) exposures before and after 10 d of continuous 6 degrees head-down bedrest in order to predict the effect of weightlessness on the responsiveness of leg vasculature to an orthostatic stress. Heart rate (HR), mean arterial blood pressure (MAP), and impedance rheographic indices of arterial pulse volume (APV) of the legs were measured during rest and at 1 min of -30 mm Hg LBNP. Bedrest-induced deconditioning was manifested by decreases (p less than 0.05) in plasma volume (17%), peak oxygen uptake (16%), and LBNP tolerance (17%). Resting HR was unchanged after bedrest, but HR was higher (p less than 0.05) at 1 min of -30 mm Hg LBNP after, compared with before, bedrest. Responses of MAP to -30 mm Hg LBNP were not altered by bedrest. Resting APV was decreased (p less than 0.05) by simulated weightlessness. However, APV was reduced (p less than 0.05) from rest to 1 min -30 mm Hg LBNP by the same relative magnitude before and after bedrest (-21.4 +/- 3.4% and -20.5 +/- 2.7%, respectively). We conclude that peripheral arterial vasoconstriction, as indicated by reductions in APV during LBNP, was not affected by bedrest. These results suggest that there was no apparent alteration in responsiveness of the leg vasculature following simulated weightlessness. Therefore, it appears unlikely that control mechanisms of peripheral resistance contribute significantly to reduced orthostatic tolerance following spaceflight.     

血容量减少对立位应激反应影响的仿真研究

目的 研究不同程度的血容量减少对心血管系统立位应激反应的影响,探讨血容量降低在航天失重后心血管失调和立位耐力降低机理中的意义。方法 在仿真下体负压（LBNP）暴露时心血管系统反应模型的血液重新分配子模型中引入血容量减少因素,仿真血容量减少0－25％后LBNP时心率（HR）和血压BP变化,结果 血容量减少低于总血量的5％条件下,心血管系统可以通过压力反射调节作用维持LBNP时政党的HR和BP;血容量减少超过约15％,在安静仰卧位时,HR和BP正常,但LBNP时BP迅速降低,系统可失去稳定性。结论 血容量减少将导致心血管系统对立位应激反应的改变。     

前庭刺激对心血管自主神经调节及立位耐力的影响

目的观察前庭刺激前后被动直立位耐力试验心率、血压和压力感受器敏感性等指标的变化,了解前庭刺激对心血管自主神经调节功能及直立位耐力的影响。方法对15名男性健康志愿者在转椅刺激前、后进行被动直立位耐力检查。被动直立位耐力实验全程监测心电图和左手中指逐跳血压,在试验的第20,21,23,25,30,35,40,41,45 min测量常规血压、心率和压力感受器反射敏感性指标(BRS)。结果前庭刺激前直立位耐力检查结果均正常,刺激后有两人发生晕厥前症状;常规血压(SBP、DBP)检查在大部分实验时间无统计学差异,心率在检测的大部分时间点有统计学差异;BRS指标仅在直立位25～min段、30～min段有统计学差异,其余检测时间段没有统计学差异。结论前庭刺激可能会削弱机体心血管压力感受器反射调节功能的稳定性,造成部分志愿者直立位耐力的降低。     

Baroreflex-mediated heart rate and vascular resistance responses 24 h after maximal exercise

INTRODUCTION: Plasma volume, heart rate (HR) variability, and stimulus-response relationships for baroreflex control of forearm vascular resistance (FVR) and HR were studied in eight healthy men after and without performing a bout of maximal exercise to test the hypotheses that acute expansion of plasma volume is associated with 1) reduction in baroreflex-mediated HR response, and 2) altered operational range for central venous pressure (CVP). METHODS: The relationship between stimulus (DeltaCVP) and vasoconstrictive reflex response (DeltaFVR) during unloading of cardiopulmonary baroreceptors was assessed with lower-body negative pressure (LBNP, 0, -5, -10, -15, -20 mm Hg). The relationship between stimulus (Deltamean arterial pressure (MAP)) and cardiac reflex response (DeltaHR) during loading of arterial baroreceptors was assessed with steady-state infusion of phenylephrine (PE) designed to increase MAP by 15 mm Hg alone and during application of LBNP (PE+LBNP) and neck pressure (PE+LBNP+NP). Measurements of vascular volume and autonomic baroreflex responses were conducted on two different test days, each separated by at least 1 wk. On one day, baroreflex response was tested 24 h after graded cycle exercise to volitional exhaustion. On another day, measurement of baroreflex response was repeated with no exercise (control). The order of exercise and control treatments was counterbalanced. RESULTS: Baseline CVP was elevated (P = 0.04) from a control value of 10.5 +/- 0.4 to 12.3 +/- 0.4 mm Hg 24 h after exercise. Average DeltaFVR/DeltaCVP during LBNP was not different (P = 0.942) between the exercise (-1.35 +/- 0.32 pru x mm Hg-1) and control (-1.32 +/- 0.36 pru x mm Hg-1) conditions. However, maximal exercise caused a shift along the reflex response relationship to a higher CVP and lower FVR. HR baroreflex response (DeltaHR/DeltaMAP) to PE+LBNP+NP was lower (P = 0.015) after maximal exercise (-0.43 +/- 0.15 beats x min-1 x mm Hg-1) compared with the control condition (-0.83 +/- 0.14 beats x min-1 x mm Hg-1). CONCLUSION: Expansion of vascular volume after acute exercise is associated with altered operational range for CVP and reduced HR response to arterial baroreceptor stimulation.     

下体负压对抗21d头低位卧床后立位耐力不良的研究

目的观察ＬＢＮＰ对２１ｄＨＤＴ－６°卧床模拟失重所致立位耐力不良的对抗效果。方法１２名健康男性青年志愿者,进行２１ｄＨＤＴ－６°卧床实验。随机分为对照组和下体负压组,每组６人。与对照组不同,下体负压组在最后一周,每天进行１ｈ、－４．０ｋＰａ的下体负压锻炼。结果卧床前,１２名受试者顺利通过７５°、２０ｍｉｎ立位耐力检查。卧床第１０ｄ立位耐力检查时,对照组有５人、ＬＢＮＰ组有４人出现晕厥前或晕厥症状,两组平均耐受时间均低于卧床前（Ｐ＜０．０５）;第２１ｄ时,对照组有５人未通过,平均耐受时间较卧床前显著降低（Ｐ＜０．０５）;而ＬＢＮＰ组有１人未通过,平均耐受时间显著高于对照组（Ｐ＜０．０５）。结论２１ｄ头低位卧床后立位耐力显著降低。下体负压能够有效对抗头低位卧床导致的立位耐力降低。     

提踵动作对下体负压耐力的影响

目的验证提踵动作对提高下体负压耐力的有效性,并探讨其可能的作用机制。方法健康男性志愿者10名,在下体负压(LBNP)条件下分别随机进行2次头高位倾斜检查(HUT)测定其下体负压耐力。一次为志愿者的基础下体负压耐力(对照组),另外一次要求志愿者在LBNP条件下做提踵动作,直至耐力终点(提踵组)。结果提踵组下体负压耐受时间(DNP)和累计应激指数(CSI)均显著增加(P<0.05)。在下体负压过程中,提踵组平均动脉压呈升高趋势,心率增加呈降低趋势,每搏量增加,且均在-40 mmHg及-50 mmHg时达到显著水平(P<0.05)。结论提踵动作可以提高下体负压耐力,可望作为航天员在长期太空飞行后引起立位耐力不良时的应对措施,也可作为血管迷走性晕厥患者的预防措施和治疗手段。     

加压套带对抗头低位卧床模拟失重生理影响的作用

为研究四肢加压套带在对抗失重对心血管系统影响中的作用，１２名受试者随机分为对照组和套带组，进行了１０ｄ头低位卧床实验。卧床中套带组四肢使用持续加压套带１２ｈ／ｄ，对照组涂任何对措施，卧床前后检测立位耐力。结果显示：卧床前１人全部通过立位耐力试验；卧床后，套带组６人中通过５人，对照组６人仅通过１人；提示：套带加压能有效阻止头低位卧床模拟失重产生的立位耐力下降。     

Centrifuge training increases presyncopal orthostatic tolerance in ambulatory men

INTRODUCTION: Exposure to spaceflight or simulations of microgravity reduce human postflight orthostatic tolerance. Exercise training and volume loading can reduce associated losses of plasma volume and muscle strength, but are not successful in maintaining postflight orthostatic tolerance. A preliminary study (16) indicated that short bouts of artificial gravity (AG) training on a centrifuge could increase orthostatic tolerance in healthy, ambulatory volunteers. We tested the same AG protocol for its tolerance effect on 14 men who underwent a 3-wk exposure to Gz acceleration training on NASA-Ames' (Moffet Field, CA) human-powered centrifuge. METHODS: Subjects trained supine (head near the center of rotation) and in pairs (one subject rode passively while the other provided power to operate the 1.9-m centrifuge). The acceleration profile consisted of 7 min at 1 Gz before alternating between 1 and 2.5 Gz at 2-min intervals for 28 min. Each subject's presyncopal orthostatic tolerance limit (to a combination of 70 degrees head-up tilt and increasing lower body negative pressure) was determined before and after training. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between training groups, but presyncopal orthostatic tolerance time was improved 17 +/- 10% (p < 0.05) for the combined groups. Mechanisms associated with increased tolerance included: increased cardiac output (p < 0.04), stroke volume (p < 0.01) and low-frequency spectral power of arterial pressure (p < 0.006), and decreased arterial pressure (p < 0.05) and vascular resistance (p < 0.04). Artificial gravity training in this group of men appears to increase orthostatic tolerance through a combination of decreased vascular resistance and enhanced cardiac function.     

Endurance training alters arterial baroreflex function in dogs

The present study was designed to determine whether 12 wk of daily exercise alter autonomic neural control of the heart during baroreflex stimulation in healthy dogs. We studied 16 untrained and 12 endurance-trained anesthetized dogs which were instrumented to measure arterial blood pressure (AP), carotid sinus baroreceptor pressure (CBP), electrocardiogram (ECG), heart rate (HR), and R-R interval (RR). The arterial baroreflex was studied during hypertension caused by i.v. bolus infusion of phenylephrine, hypotension caused by i.v. bolus infusion of nitroprusside, and bilateral carotid occlusion (BCO) in which carotid sinus pressure was reduced to 41 +/- 2 mm Hg (mean +/- SEM). Arterial baroreflex sensitivity, which was assessed by determining the change in heart interval (i.e., change in RR) per unit change in systolic AP (delta RR/delta AP), was significantly lower during the hypertensive challenge in the trained dogs compared to the untrained dogs (2.2 +/- 0.3 vs 6.8 +/- 1.5 ms.mm Hg-1, respectively). Similarly, the delta RR/delta AP was substantially lower during the hypotensive challenge in trained dogs vs the untrained dogs (1.2 +/- 0.3 vs 1.8 +/- 0.4 ms.mm Hg-1, respectively). In addition, the HR response to the BCO was significantly less in trained dogs (22 +/- 2 bpm) vs untrained dogs (32 +/- 5 bpm). The open-loop gain (Go), which was used to quantitate the effectiveness of the carotid baroreflex to increase mean systemic AP during BCO, was similar in both untrained and trained dogs (2.9 +/- 0.6 and 2.4 +/- 0.5, respectively). These data indicate that, while endurance training significantly reduces the HR component of the arterial baroreflex, the arterial pressure response apparently is not altered.