The role of oxygen-dependent substances in exercise

Davies, Christopher S. (2013). The role of oxygen-dependent substances in exercise. University of Birmingham. Ph.D.

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Abstract

This thesis investigated the role of O\(_2\)-dependent substances in mediating the vasodilatation seen following exercise (post-exercise hyperaemia) and in fatigue development. Additionally we compared young and old subjects to investigate the effects of ageing in both of these phenomena.
Breathing supplementary 40% O\(_2\) during handgrip exercise at 50% of maximum voluntary contraction had no effect of the magnitude of post-exercise hyperaemia compared to air breathing control. Furthermore, aspirin administration did not alter magnitude of post-exercise hyperaemia or the levels of prostaglandin E metabolites assayed from the forearm venous efflux. Similarly the magnitude of post-exercise hyperaemia was not affected by aminophylline administration. Collectively these suggest that prostaglandins and adenosine are not obligatory mediators of post-exercise hyperaemia.
Supplementary O\(_2\) breathed during recovery had no effect on fatigue in a second bout of exercise or any of the substances proposed to mediate fatigue, in young subjects. We demonstrated that older subjects showed no changes in the magnitude of post-exercise hyperaemia, but they were more fatigue resistant. There was no O\(_2\)-dependence of either post-exercise hyperaemia or fatigue in older subjects.
In conclusion, we have found no evidence of O\(_2\)-dependent mediators in either post-exercise hyperaemia or fatigue.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Doctorates > Ph.D.)

Award Type:

Doctorates > Ph.D.

Supervisor(s):