Differences in the postexercise threshold for cutaneous vasodilation between men and women

Abstract

Recent studies, primarily in males, have shown that postexercise cutaneous vasodilation is attenuated by baroreceptor unloading subsequent to lower body venous pooling. However, gender differences in the control of cutaneous circulation may exist given that females appear to show a reduced tolerance to orthostatic challenge and, an attenuated responsiveness in mechanisms that regulate arterial pressure. We evaluated the hypothesis that females would demonstrate a greater reduction in postexercise mean arterial pressure (MAP) and concurrently a greater increase in the postexercise core temperature at which onset of cutaneous vasodilation occurred as compared to males. Fourteen subjects (7 males and 7 females) of similar age and fitness status remained seated resting for 15 min or cycled for 15 min at 70% of peak oxygen consumption followed by 15 min of seated recovery. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)