Open AccessCardiovascular Control During Exercise: The Connectivity of Skeletal Muscle Afferents to the Brain
Author(s) -
André L. Teixeira,
Igor A. Fernandes,
Lauro C. Vianna
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
exercise and sport sciences reviews
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.945
H-Index - 99
eISSN - 1538-3008
pISSN - 0091-6331
DOI - 10.1249/jes.0000000000000218
Subject(s) - skeletal muscle , reflex , medicine , neuroscience , peripheral , afferent , blood pressure , physical exercise , cardiology , psychology
The exercise pressor reflex (EPR) is engaged upon the activation of group III/IV skeletal muscle afferents and is one of the principal mediators of cardiovascular responses to exercise. This review explores the hypothesis that afferent signals from EPR communicate via GABAergic contacts within the brain stem to evoke parasympathetic withdrawal and sympathoexcitation to increase cardiac output, peripheral resistance, and blood pressure during exercise.