These findings suggest clinicians should consider biomechanical and resistance data when developing a strengthening program for the quadriceps muscle. Some seated quadriceps exercises may be more appropriate for certain rehabilitation goals than others.

Hip abductor weakness may influence knee abduction during the stance phase of running.

We monitored cardiovascular and renal function in conscious dogs with surgically denervated hearts during two experimental procedures: 1) inflation of a balloon in the left atrium and 2) intravascular volume expansion. The results obtained were compared with results from identical experiments on sham-operated control dogs. Left atrial balloon inflation in the sham-operated dogs produced an increase in left atrial pressure, heart rate, urine flow, and sodium excretion; central venous pressure decreased. These changes were absent in the cardiac-denervated dogs. Infusion of 6% dextran in isotonic saline (16% of estimated blood volume) increased the heart rate significantly in the control dogs but not in the cardiac-denervated dogs; other hemodynamic measurements were comparable in the two groups. Urine flow and sodium excretion increased significantly in both the cardiac-denervated and control dogs; the responses did not differ significantly between the two groups. These experiments demonstrate that inflation of a balloon in the left atrium of a conscious dog elicits diuretic and natriuretic responses that are dependent on intact cardiac neural pathways, presumably specifically dependent on afferent neural impulses from left atrial receptors. On the other hand, an increase in circulating blood volume induced by the intravenous infusion of an isotonic, isoncotic solution elicits diuretic and natriuretic responses in the cardiac-denervated dog that are similar to the renal responses produced in a control dog. Thus, although cardiac receptors are capable of eliciting reflex changes in both hemodynamics and renal function, it is not clear what role they play in mediating the renal responses evoked by increases in blood volume.

We measured hemodynamics and renal function in conscious dogs while partially obstructing blood flow at various sites within the thorax. Inflation of a balloon in the left atrium increased left atrial pressure (LAP) by 9 mmHg and caused a parallel increase in pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP); heart rate, arterial pressure, and total peripheral resistance increased; stroke volume and right atrial pressure decreased; and cardiac output remained unchanged. The increase in LAP was accompanied by a fourfold increase in urine flow and a threefold increase in sodium excretion. Plasma vasopressin (AVP) and renin activity (PRA) decreased. On the other hand, partial occlusion of the pulmonary veins or the main pulmonary artery produced similar increases in PAP without affecting LAP, systemic hemodynamics, renal function, or plasma AVP. Similarly, inflation of a balloon in the right atrium failed to alter renal function, plasma AVP, or PRA. Finally, constriction of the thoracic inferior vena cava decreased LAP and increased PRA. In summary, these data emphasize that inflation of a balloon in the left atrium of the conscious dog produces a composite response consisting of alterations in cardiovascular function, renal function, and circulating hormones. Moreover, our data indicate that the response is mediated by a reflex initiated from receptors located in the left atrium; we detected no evidence that receptors located in the pulmonary vasculature or right heart contribute to this response.

No abstract