Leg exercise conditioning increases peak forearm blood flow

To examine whether forearm vascular adaptations could occur after upright-leg exercise training, the reactive hyperemic blood flow after 10 min of forearm circulatory arrest (RHBF₁₀) was studied. RHBF₁₀ was examined in seven subjects before, at 2 wk, and after the completion of 4 wk of bicycle ergometer training. Maximal O₂ consumption (V̇O(2max)) for leg ergometer work increased 13% (P < 0.05) over 4 wk. Over that period of time RHBF₁₀ in the forearm increased 50% (P < 0.05), with a reciprocal drop in minimum vascular resistance. Resting heart rate decreased 15% (P < 0.05) during the same period. Changes in RHBF₁₀ and V̇O(2max) were noted after 2 wk of training. Mean arterial pressure did not change. We conclude that vascular adaptations can occur in the forearm muscle beds, even though the training regimen is designed to condition the lower extremities.