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Article
Skin microvascular reactivity in trained adolescents
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  • Thomas Rowland, MD, Baystate Health
Document Type
Article, Peer-reviewed
Publication Date
4-1-2010
Abstract

Whilst endothelial dysfunction is associated with a sedentary lifestyle, enhanced endothelial function has been documented in the skin of trained individuals. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether highly trained adolescent males possess enhanced skin microvascular endothelial function compared to their untrained peers. Seventeen highly and predominantly soccer trained boys (V(O)(2)(peak): 55 6 mL kg(-1) min(-1)) and nine age- and maturation-matched untrained controls (V(O)(2)(peak): 43 5 mL kg(-1) min(-1)) aged 13-15 years had skin microvascular endothelial function assessed using laser Doppler flowmetry. Baseline and maximal thermally stimulated skin blood flow (SkBF) responses were higher in forearms of trained subjects compared to untrained participants [baseline SkBF: 11 4 vs. 9 3 perfusion units (PU), p < 0.05; SkBF(max): 282 120 vs. 204 68 PU, p < 0.05]. Similarly, cutaneous vascular conductance (CVC) during local heating was superior in the forearm skin of trained versus untrained individuals (CVC(max): 3 1 vs. 2 1 PU mmHg(-1), p < 0.05). Peak hyperaemia following arterial occlusion and area under the reactive hyperaemia curve were also greater in forearm skin of the trained group (peak hyperaemia: 51 21 vs. 35 15 PU, p < 0.05; area under curve: 1596 739 vs. 962 796 PUs, p < 0.05). These results suggest that chronic exercise training in adolescents is associated with enhanced microvascular endothelial vasodilation in non-glabrous skin.

Publication ISSN
0090-3493
Citation Information
Roche DM, Rowland TW, Garrard M, Marwood S, Unnithan VB. Skin microvascular reactivity in trained adolescents Eur J Appl Physiol 2010 Apr;108(6):1201-8.