Skin microvascular reactivity in trained adolescents

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.

Vascular Effects of Exercise: Endothelial Adaptations Beyond Active Muscle Beds

“…In contrast, responses to sodium nitroprusside were not different between groups. Similarly, Roche et al (172) recently reported an enhanced skin blood flow response to local heating in physically active children (aged 13–15 yr) compared with age-matched (less active) controls. Using a longitudinal study design, Wang (204) evaluated endothelium-dependent and -independent cutaneous vascular responses in sedentary but otherwise healthy males before and after 8 wk of exercise training.…”

Assessment of Human Skin Microcirculation and Its Endothelial Function Using Laser Doppler Flowmetry

“…Namely, a recent study performed in adolescents showed an enhanced endothelium-dependent vasodilation in nonglabroous skin in the group of trained subjects (Roche et al, 2010). Also, in the group of postmenopausal women who underwent a 48-week regime of aerobic exercise training the endothelium-dependent and -independent vasodilation was enhanced as well as the response to local heating (Hodges et al, 2010).…”

Sports Dietitians Australia Position Statement: Sports Nutrition for the Adolescent Athlete

“…Children and adolescents rely more on peripheral blood redistribution (radiative and conductive cooling) rather than sweating (evaporative cooling) to maintain thermal equilibrium. There is also evidence that adolescents who undertake regular training adapt by enhanced peripheral vasodilation (Roche et al, 2010) which is likely to improve nonevaporative cooling. While the timing of the transition from child-like to adult-like thermoregulatory mechanism is likely to be related to pubertal development, it appears that these changes do not become physiologically evident until puberty has been completed (Falk et al, 1992).…”