Abstract
Regular walking exercise attenuates lower-limb cutaneous microvascular endothelial dysfunction in post-surgical varicose-vein patients. This study assessed the effects of upper-limb exercise training on lower-limb cutaneous microvascular function in this patient group. Six post-surgical (4–5 weeks) varicose-vein patients completed an 8-week arm-crank exercise training programme. Changes in cutaneous microvascular function of the lower leg were assessed using laser Doppler flowmetry and iontophoretic administration of endothelial-dependent and -independent agonists [acetylcholine (ACh) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP), respectively]. At 8 weeks, median lower-limb cutaneous vasodilator responsives to ACh and SNP remained unchanged relative to baseline (e.g. 6 mC: 37 (interquartile range 24–63) vs. 40 (20–71) PU and 35 (23–48) vs. 38 (21–64) PU, respectively for the supine position). Upper-limb exercise appears ineffective for improving lower-limb cutaneous microvascular function in post-surgical varicose-vein patients. Therefore, limb specificity appears an important factor in optimal exercise prescription for these patients.
References
Hodges GJ, Sharp L, Stephenson C, Patwala AY, George KP, Goldspink DF, Cable TN (2010) The effect of 48 weeks of aerobic exercise training on cutaneous vasodilator function in post-menopausal females. Eur J Appl Physiol 108:1259–1267
Iabichella ML, Melillo E, Mosti G (2006) A review of microvascular measurements in wound healing. Int J Low Extrem Wounds 5:181–199
Klonizakis M, Yeung JM, Nash JR, Lingam K, Manning G, Donnelly R (2003) Effects of posture and venous insufficiency on endothelial-dependent and -independent cutaneous vasodilation in the perimalleolar region. Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg 26:100–104
Klonizakis M, Tew GA, Michaels JA, Saxton JM (2009a) Impaired microvascular endothelial function is restored by acute lower-limb exercise in post-surgical varicose vein patients. Microvasc Res 77:158–162
Klonizakis M, Tew GA, Michaels JA, Saxton JM (2009b) Exercise training improves cutaneous microvascular endothelial function in post-surgical varicose vein patients. Microvasc Res 78:67–70
Kulkarni SR, Gohel MS, Whyman MR, Poskitt KR (2008) Significance of limb trauma as an initiating factor in chronic leg ulceration. Phlebology 23:130–136
Robertson L, Lee AJ, Gallagher K, Carmichael SJ, Evans CJ, McKinstry BH, Fraser SC, Allan PL, Weller D, Ruckley CV, Fowkes FG (2009) Risk factors for chronic ulceration in patients with varicose veins: a case control study. J Vasc Surg 49:1490–1498
Tew GA, Nawaz S, Zwierska I, Saxton JM (2009) Limb-specific and cross-transfer effects of arm-crank exercise training in patients with symptomatic peripheral arterial disease. Clin Sci 117:405–413
Wang JS (2005) Effects of exercise training and detraining on cutaneous microvascular function in man: the regulatory role of endothelium-dependent dilation in skin vasculature. Eur J Appl Physiol 93:429–434
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
Communicated by Keith George.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Klonizakis, M., Tew, G.A., Michaels, J.A. et al. Effects of upper-limb exercise on lower-limb cutaneous microvascular function in post-surgical varicose-vein patients. Eur J Appl Physiol 109, 1221–1224 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-010-1471-1
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-010-1471-1